Acclaimed filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has once again captured the imagination of fans and the film industry with the first glimpses of his ambitious Varanasi set. Designed to recreate the sacred city without disturbing its real spiritual life, the set is a marvel of detail—complete with intricate interiors, movable sections to depict different eras, and expansive spaces for large-scale action sequences involving hundreds of extras.
The film, which stars Mahesh Babu as bounty hunter Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas in her first major Indian role in years as Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha, promises to blend mythology, time travel, and global action. The narrative spans from 7200 BCE to 2027, weaving together ancient legends with futuristic storytelling.
Among the highlights already generating buzz is a 25-minute motion-capture sequence inspired by the Ramayana, shot on India’s largest MoCap stage. With a reported budget of $100 million and an IMAX release date set for April 7, 2027, the project is being hailed as one of the most ambitious undertakings in Indian cinema.
Journalists and fans alike have been thrilled by the scale and authenticity of the Varanasi set, which reflects Rajamouli’s trademark dedication to world-building. His ability to merge cultural depth with cinematic spectacle has positioned this film as a potential landmark in global filmmaking.
