The highly anticipated film ‘Varanasi’, directed by the acclaimed filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, is set to begin shooting in 2024. However, details about the project were revealed as early as November last year, including the title and first glimpses of the film. This significant announcement was made during a grand event attended by stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Rajamouli himself, where they shared insights with various Hollywood media outlets.
Recently, the team released these interviews without any fanfare, allowing fans to delve into the creative process behind ‘Varanasi’. Among the intriguing comments made by Rajamouli was his response to long-standing rumors about a sequel. When asked why it took 15 years for him and Mahesh Babu to collaborate, he explained, “We first met in 2010 and decided to make a film together. However, I had three commitments to fulfill before embarking on this project. What I thought would take six months ended up taking two years, and then two years turned into three years while I worked on ‘Baahubali’. The pandemic also delayed ‘RRR’, which is why it took so long to work with Mahesh Babu.”
Rajamouli further clarified whether ‘Varanasi’ would be released in two parts, stating that after careful consideration, they decided against it. He confirmed that the film would have a runtime of nearly three hours, emphasizing the importance of keeping the audience engaged throughout. “Today’s generation of viewers tends to pick up their phones even if they are bored for just five minutes. Our challenge is to create a story that keeps them glued to their seats,” he said.
Additionally, Rajamouli shared insights into the film’s narrative, particularly the incorporation of scenes from the epic Ramayana. He stated, “All my films are inspired by the Ramayana and Mahabharata, but this time, I have the opportunity to showcase a part of the Ramayana within ‘Varanasi’ rather than just drawing inspiration from it.”
The film stars Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in lead roles, with Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran playing the antagonist. The musical score will be composed by M.M. Keeravani, while Rajamouli takes the helm as director. Recently, there have been various rumors surrounding the release date, but the team confirmed that ‘Varanasi’ is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 7, coinciding with the festival of Ugadi.
As anticipation builds for ‘Varanasi’, fans are eager to witness the collaboration between Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu, which has been years in the making. With its grand storytelling and rich cultural references, ‘Varanasi’ promises to be a cinematic experience that resonates with audiences both in India and around the globe.
