Varanasi: Rajamouli Says Mahesh Babu’s Epic Is 5-6 Times Bigger Than RRR

Rajamouli has already made RRR one of India’s biggest global hits. Now he says Varanasi will dwarf it. Here’s what the director revealed, and what we know about the film.…

By Reetam Bodhak

October 24, 2026

2 min read

Comments

Rajamouli has already made RRR one of India’s biggest global hits. Now he says Varanasi will dwarf it. Here’s what the director revealed, and what we know about the film.

What Rajamouli Said on Varanasi?

According to Screen Daily, Rajamouli spoke at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil. He described Varanasi as roughly five to six times bigger than RRR in every aspect. He also said careful planning meant the shoot finished in fewer days despite the larger scale. RRR took 315 days to film, while Varanasi wrapped in 275 days, saving 40 days.

Varanasi : Overview

Detail	Info
Director	SS Rajamouli
Lead	Mahesh Babu (as Rudhra)
Female lead	Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Antagonist	Prithviraj Sukumaran (as Kumbha)
Genre	Action-adventure drama
Release date	April 7, 2027
Shoot length	275 days (vs. 315 for RRR)

What Is the Story About?

The film is set against a global crisis. A huge asteroid named Shambhavi threatens the city of Varanasi. Rudhra, a rugged archaeologist and explorer, is recruited for a high-stakes mission to recover an ancient cosmic artefact. A fearless historian and skilled marksman named Mandakini joins him.

Their journey spans the jungles of Africa, the icy landscapes of Antarctica and locations across Europe, while Kumbha, a technologically advanced villain, hunts them. The key to preventing a future catastrophe is hidden in Varanasi’s mythical past.

Production Status

The film was originally expected to finish production by October 2026, and Mahesh Babu has reportedly completed his portions. Because the film relies on heavy visual effects, work will likely continue after shooting. The makers also released behind-the-scenes pictures featuring Prithviraj Sukumaran for his 44th birthday.

Conclsuion

“Five to six times bigger” is a bold claim, but Rajamouli has a record of delivering on scale. What impresses me more is the discipline: a bigger film shot in fewer days suggests tight pre-production, which is often what separates a spectacle from a mess. Of course, the real test will come when audiences see the final cut in April 2027.

Want more on the director? Read the S. S. Rajamouli Wikipedia page.

Love big-budget cinema updates? Visit Technosports or browse our latest entertainment coverage.