SS Rajamouli Says Mahesh Babu’s Varanasi Is 5–6 Times Bigger Than RRR: What to Expect From the Epic Adventure
SS Rajamouli Says Mahesh Babu’s Varanasi Is 5–6 Times Bigger Than RRR: What to Expect From the Epic Adventure
SS Rajamouli has raised expectations for his upcoming film Varanasi by revealing that the Mahesh Babu-starrer is five to six times bigger in scale than RRR. The director shared the update during his appearance at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil, where he discussed the ambitious project and the preparation involved in bringing it to the screen.
The announcement has attracted attention because RRR became a major international success, earning recognition beyond Indian cinema. With Varanasi, Rajamouli is aiming to expand his filmmaking ambitions through a large-scale adventure that combines different locations, genres and emotional elements.
Varanasi Is Rajamouli’s Most Ambitious Adventure Yet
Varanasi brings together Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in a project directed by Rajamouli. The film is being developed as a globe-spanning adventure, with a narrative that connects Indian cultural elements with international settings and spectacular action.
According to Rajamouli, the scale of the production is considerably larger than that of RRR. His comparison suggests that the upcoming film involves a broader range of creative and production challenges. However, describing a film as five to six times bigger does not necessarily mean that its budget, runtime or box-office potential will be five to six times greater.
The statement primarily highlights the ambition behind the production. The film's actual impact will ultimately depend on how effectively its story, performances, visual effects and action sequences come together.
How Varanasi Compares With RRR
Released in 2022, RRR starred Ram Charan and Jr NTR and became one of the most widely recognised Indian films internationally. Its large-scale action sequences, emotional storytelling and music helped it connect with audiences across different markets.
The film also achieved a significant milestone when its song Naatu Naatu, composed by M. M. Keeravani, won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Following that success, expectations for Rajamouli's next project have naturally increased. Varanasi represents another major collaboration for the filmmaker, this time with Mahesh Babu in the lead role.
The director's comparison between the two productions is especially interesting because he has also revealed that Varanasi required fewer shooting days than RRR. This suggests that the production team has tried to combine a more ambitious vision with a more carefully planned filming process.
Rajamouli Reveals How He Saved 40 Shooting Days
One of the most notable details shared by Rajamouli concerns the production schedule.
The director explained that filming RRR took approximately 315 days, while Varanasi has been filmed in around 275 days. That represents a reduction of 40 shooting days, despite the new film's reportedly greater scale.
Rajamouli attributed this improvement to more extensive preparation before the cameras started rolling. He explained that he spent additional time on planning and paperwork, allowing the team to enter production with a clearer understanding of what needed to be achieved.
This approach highlights an important aspect of large-scale filmmaking. Elaborate action scenes, complex visual effects and different environments require coordination among numerous departments. Decisions made before filming can help reduce uncertainty on set and minimise avoidable delays.
Pre-production does not remove every challenge, particularly when a film involves technically demanding sequences. Nevertheless, careful planning can make it easier to manage schedules, coordinate resources and maintain consistency across a large production.
For Rajamouli, the experience of making RRR appears to have provided valuable lessons that could be applied to his next major undertaking.
A Story That Combines Adventure and Emotion
The scale of Varanasi is not limited to its action or visual presentation. The film is also expected to combine several storytelling elements, including adventure, mythology, science-fiction concepts and emotional drama.
The story is associated with locations such as Varanasi, Africa and Antarctica, giving the project an international dimension. These varied settings could allow the film to move between different environments while maintaining a connection to Indian cultural themes.
Rajamouli has also discussed the importance of emotional relationships within the narrative. A father-son relationship and a love story are among the emotional elements associated with the film.
This balance could be particularly important. Large productions often attract attention through their scale, but memorable characters and clear emotional motivations help audiences remain invested in the story.
The challenge for the director will be to make the different elements feel connected rather than presenting them as separate spectacles. If the transitions between adventure, mythology and personal drama are handled effectively, the film could offer more than a succession of visually impressive sequences.
International Release Plans and Global Expectations
Rajamouli has expressed his desire for Varanasi to reach audiences worldwide through a major theatrical release. His comments reflect the importance of the cinema experience for a production designed around large-scale visuals and adventure.
The international recognition of RRR has also strengthened interest in Rajamouli's future projects. The director acknowledged receiving opportunities from Hollywood following the film's global success, while indicating that his immediate attention remains focused on completing Varanasi.
For the upcoming film, a worldwide theatrical strategy could help it reach viewers beyond its primary Indian audience. However, international reach alone does not guarantee commercial success. Audience reception, distribution, marketing and competition from other releases will all influence its performance.
The film features Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran alongside Mahesh Babu, bringing together performers with experience across different film industries. M. M. Keeravani is composing the music, continuing his creative association with Rajamouli.
Varanasi Release Date: When Will Mahesh Babu’s Film Arrive?
Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027. The announced date gives audiences a timeline to look forward to, although release schedules can change as production and distribution plans develop.
Interest in the project is likely to remain strong as further details emerge about its characters, story, promotional material and theatrical presentation.
For Mahesh Babu, the film is an important collaboration with one of India's most internationally recognised directors. For Rajamouli, it offers an opportunity to build on the achievements of Baahubali and RRR while exploring a different kind of adventure.
Can Varanasi Match the Success of RRR?
The comparison with RRR creates considerable expectations, but the two films will ultimately need to succeed on their own merits. A larger production can provide opportunities for impressive visuals and ambitious storytelling, yet audiences also expect a compelling narrative and characters they can connect with.
The reported reduction in shooting time is another noteworthy aspect of the project. It demonstrates Rajamouli's emphasis on preparation and suggests that lessons from earlier productions have influenced his working methods.
The key question is whether the film can combine its ambitious scale with a cohesive story and meaningful emotional moments. That balance may prove just as important as the spectacle itself.
Final Takeaway
Rajamouli's latest comments position Varanasi as an exceptionally ambitious project, reportedly five to six times bigger in scale than RRR. With Mahesh Babu leading an international ensemble and the director aiming for a worldwide theatrical release, the film has several elements that could attract broad attention.
The 40-day reduction in shooting time also offers an insight into the importance of detailed preparation in large-scale filmmaking. Ultimately, the film's success will depend on how well its ambitious concept translates into an engaging cinematic experience when it reaches theatres on April 7, 2027.
