S.S. Rajamouli’s Varanasi has just exploded into headlines — and fans everywhere are already buzzing about the scale, the cast and, most importantly, where and how Varanasi movie shooting is being planned and executed. At a grand “GlobeTrotter” launch event in Hyderabad the film’s title, first-look motion poster and a teaser-style glimpse were unveiled, confirming that Rajamouli is once again aiming for a huge, effects-driven, mythically tinged spectacle.
S.S. Rajamouli — the filmmaker behind Baahubali and RRR — is directing Varanasi, described by the team and press as a high-concept time-travel adventure rooted in Hindu mythology, with narrative threads that nod to the Ramayana. The film is being positioned as one of the most ambitious Indian productions in recent memory, with IMAX plans and a global release strategy.
Cast and characters — the A-list line-up
The reported lead cast is a headline-grabbing mix:
Mahesh Babu in the principal role (announced as Rudhra and reportedly in a dual / mythic avatar).
Priyanka Chopra Jonas in a major role (named in reports as Mandakini).
Prithviraj Sukumaran, R. Madhavan, and veteran actor Nassar are also listed among the key names attached.
This ensemble underlines Rajamouli’s intent to make the project pan-Indian and internationally visible
How big is the production? Reported budget and scale
Multiple news outlets are reporting Varanasi as a mega-budget film — estimates vary, but several reputable reports place the budget in the range that would make it one of the most expensive Indian films ever made. The team is explicitly doubling down on VFX-heavy sequences, IMAX-formatted shooting for certain sequences, and multiple VFX houses; Rajamouli’s track record suggests these investments are aimed at creating expansive worldbuilding and spectacle. (Budget figures are being circulated in the press; exact final numbers are typically confirmed only by the production house.)
Where is Varanasi movie shooting taking place? (Locations & schedules)
Varanasi movie shooting: Hyderabad, Odisha, Kenya and constructed sets
Press reports and the film’s production updates show a geographically varied shoot plan:
Principal photography kicked off in Hyderabad in early 2025; the Ramoji Film City launch and subsequent schedules used controlled studio environments for initial sequences.
After the Hyderabad schedule there were reported plans for on-location shoots overseas (reports mentioned Kenya) for sequences that require large natural backdrops or crowd/landscape shots.
Domestic location work reportedly moved to Odisha for specific sequences, and the production built a massive set at a hilltop in Koraput to recreate elements of the story world, including a constructed version of Kashi/Varanasi for some scenes. These big sets are typical of Rajamouli’s production style when the story requires stylized, controlled environments.
Rajamouli has also emphasized finishing VFX-priority sequences earlier in the schedule so post-production teams can begin work in parallel — a production tactic that helps on effects-heavy epics.
Plot hints: time travel, mythology and an epic canvas
From the teaser and Rajamouli’s own comments, Varanasi appears to blend time-travel mechanics with Hindu mythological imagery. The teaser imagery (Mahesh Babu riding a bull, wielding a trishul, and mythic tableaux) suggests sequences that juxtapose contemporary and ancient frames — Rajamouli reportedly drew inspiration from episodes of the Ramayana for major sequences. Expect sweeping set-pieces, mythic battles, and sequences that ask the viewer to move between eras.
Release window and language strategy
The film is being targeted for a 2027 theatrical release window, with the makers indicating plans to release in IMAX and in multiple languages — Telugu (original), plus dubbed releases in Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada — to maximize pan-Indian and international reach. Some earlier trade reports speculated about a two-part release structure, but later updates suggested a single feature-length film (reports have varied; the production’s official confirmation supersedes early speculation).
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