Renowned filmmaker SS Rajamouli unveiled the first glimpse of his much-anticipated magnum opus Varanasi in November 2025, creating massive buzz across the globe. The film stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role as Rudra, with Priyanka Chopra playing Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran portraying the sharp and formidable antagonist, Kumba.
The globetrotting teaser showcased visuals unlike anything seen before, instantly raising expectations sky-high. Fans are now eagerly awaiting the film’s IMAX release, scheduled for April 7, 2027.
Following the teaser launch, SS Rajamouli interacted with international media in Hyderabad, and excerpts from those interviews have now surfaced online. During one such interaction, Rajamouli addressed one of the most frequently asked questions whether Varanasi would be made as a two-part film.
Clearing the air, Rajamouli revealed that while the team initially considered splitting the story into two parts, the idea was eventually dropped. He confirmed that Varanasi will be a single-part film with an approximate runtime of three hours.
This confirmation brings clarity to fans, as Rajamouli firmly stated that there will be no sequel or second part. In the same set of interviews, Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran also shared interesting insights about their roles and the scale of the project, with their comments currently doing the rounds on social media.
Mounted on an unprecedented scale with a reported budget of ₹1,300 crore, Varanasi also features Prakash Raj in a key role. Additionally, a popular Tamil star who recently appeared in a Bollywood blockbuster now streaming on OTT will be seen in a significant role.
The film is produced by KL Narayana under Sri Durga Arts, in collaboration with SS Karthikeya of Showing Business. Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani is scoring the music. Currently under production, the shoot is progressing steadily and is expected to wrap up soon, after which promotions will begin as planned by SS Rajamouli.
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