Rajamouli’s 'Varanasi' Enters Final Stretch: IMAX Action Sequences Wrapped

The visionary director confirms that the massive spectacle-heavy shoot for his Mahesh Babu-starrer is nearing completion, keeping the April 2027 release date firmly on track.

The dust is finally settling on the high-octane sets of SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi. Speaking at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, the director confirmed that the most daunting technical hurdles of his Rs 1,000 crore-plus production are behind him. With the large-scale IMAX action sequences officially in the can, the production has transitioned into the final phase of principal photography, focusing on the smaller, vital scenes that bridge the narrative gaps.

The IMAX Vision

For a project of this magnitude, the choice of format was never a mere marketing gimmick. Rajamouli clarified that the film’s grand visual design—including a sprawling 20-minute mythological battle sequence—was conceived for the large-screen format from the drawing board. While the team faced an initial learning curve adapting their traditional, beloved CinemaScope framing for the verticality of IMAX, the director noted that the transition became second nature after the first few days on set. The goal was to ensure the visual impact remains consistent across both formats, a hallmark of the meticulous planning that defines a Rajamouli production.

Why It Matters

This update is more than a simple production milestone; it signals that one of the most expensive and ambitious projects in the history of Indian cinema is moving with clinical precision. In an industry where delays can bloat budgets into the stratosphere, Rajamouli’s ability to adhere to a timeline while managing a global cast—including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran—reinforces his status as a rare director who balances artistic scale with rigorous management. By targeting an October finish for the shoot, the team buys themselves significant breathing room for the heavy post-production and VFX work required for a 2027 theatrical release.

A Growing Universe

While Varanasi remains the primary focus, the director’s presence at Annecy also highlighted his broader ambitions. His involvement in the animated expansion of the Baahubali franchise, The Eternal War, reflects a shift in how Indian filmmakers are packaging intellectual property. By empowering creators like Ishan Shukla to take the helm while maintaining oversight, Rajamouli is effectively institutionalizing his storytelling methods.

As the Varanasi production unit heads toward its October wrap, the buzz is palpable. With the heavy action sequences completed, the focus now shifts to the emotional core of the film. Whether this expansive saga will eventually be split into two parts, as some industry reports suggest, remains a point of speculation, but the primary mission—delivering a global-scale cinematic experience—appears to be right on schedule.