Rajamouli Targets October Wrap for ‘Varanasi’ Shoot

Acclaimed filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has shared a major production update on his ambitious upcoming film Varanasi, which is slated for a worldwide release in April 2027. The project has already generated significant international attention for its massive scale and unique storyline that spans thousands of years. Set against the backdrop of the ancient city of Varanasi, the film reportedly explores an extraordinary narrative involving an asteroid threatening the sacred city, while also featuring locations as remote as Antarctica. Adding to its cinematic grandeur, Varanasi is being shot partially on 70mm IMAX film.

Speaking to an international media outlet, Rajamouli revealed that filming has reached an advanced stage. He confirmed that all the major spectacle driven action sequences have already been completed. The team is currently shooting the smaller, interconnecting scenes that link the narrative together. According to the director, the entire production is expected to be wrapped up by the end of September or early October, allowing the makers ample time to focus on the extensive post-production work ahead of the film’s release.

Rajamouli also clarified that the decision to use the IMAX format did not alter the film’s creative vision. Instead, several sequences were conceived specifically with the large-format experience in mind from the very beginning. However, he admitted that the crew initially needed some time to adjust their framing, as they were more accustomed to shooting in the CinemaScope format. Once they found the right balance between IMAX and anamorphic framing, the filming process became much smoother, ensuring that the visual scale of Varanasi is optimized for both formats.