The wait is finally over for fans who have been eagerly looking forward to S.S. Rajamouli’s next big project. The director has officially confirmed that his upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, will release in 2027. The announcement was made during a grand launch event in Hyderabad, where the film’s title, teaser, and first-look posters were revealed to the public.
The event brought together the core cast and crew, including Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and music composer M.M. Keeravani. The team shared major details about the movie, including its release timeline and the massive technical preparations behind it.
Title Announcement Event Creates Huge Buzz
The title reveal for Varanasi took place at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad and was attended by thousands of fans and media personnel. For months, the film was referred to as “SSMB29,” and the official confirmation of the title created huge excitement across social media.
The makers also showcased a teaser and a short motion poster, giving fans their first glimpse into the film’s tone and scale. The visuals featured ancient symbols, large landscapes, and an adventurous mood that hinted at an epic storyline rooted in mythology and time travel.
Rajamouli also spoke at length about the technical aspects of the film. He confirmed that Varanasi is being shot in 1.43:1 IMAX format, something very rare in Indian cinema. He explained that the decision was made to offer audiences a truly immersive experience, and he hoped more IMAX screens would be ready across India by the time the film releases.
Makers Confirm Release Timeline
While Rajamouli mentioned “2027” as the official release year, the clearest confirmation came from composer M.M. Keeravani. Speaking at the launch event, he stated that Varanasi is being planned for a summer 2027 release.
Some film circles also speculate that the team is eyeing March 25, 2027, a date that often works well for big festival releases. However, the production team has not yet announced any specific date, and only the release year is officially confirmed.
Given Rajamouli’s filmmaking style—which involves long shooting schedules, advanced VFX, and detailed post-production—fans and industry members believe the 2027 timeline is accurate and realistic.
A Power-Packed Cast
Varanasi brings together some of the biggest names in Indian cinema:
Mahesh Babu as Rudhra
Mahesh Babu plays the lead character, making this his first-ever collaboration with Rajamouli. Fans have been celebrating this pairing for years, and many believe this film will mark a defining moment in the actor’s career.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini
Priyanka Chopra returns to a major Indian film with Varanasi. Her character is said to play a significant role in the adventure-driven storyline.
Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha
Prithviraj takes on the role of the main antagonist. Reports suggest his character will have a strong mythological link and will drive the core conflict of the film.
Music by M.M. Keeravani
Keeravani, who worked with Rajamouli on global hits like RRR, is composing the music and background score. He described Varanasi as one of the most challenging films he has worked on due to its emotional depth and scale.
What the Story Might Offer
Although the makers have not revealed the full plot, hints from the teaser and fan discussions point to a thrilling mix of mythology, adventure, science fiction, and time travel. The visuals shown at the event included ancient structures, cosmic elements, and dramatic landscapes, suggesting a story that travels across timelines and worlds.
Rajamouli also mentioned that a major sequence took nearly 60 days to shoot, indicating how massive and detailed the film’s action portions are. Given the director’s reputation for storytelling, fans can expect a unique mix of emotional drama and high visual spectacle.
Challenges Faced by the Team
Rajamouli expressed disappointment during the event about a drone leak that happened before the official reveal. A part of the teaser was captured through a drone during shooting and circulated online. The director said that a full year of team effort was leaked by one drone operator, but assured fans that the official release would be “far more impressive.”
Another challenge that came up is a title dispute, as another producer had reportedly registered the name “Varanasi” earlier. Discussions are said to be in progress, but the film team has moved forward with the title officially for now.
Why Fans Are Calling It “India’s Biggest Film”
There are several reasons why Varanasi is being called one of the most-awaited films::
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Rajamouli’s Next After RRR
After delivering global success with RRR, Rajamouli is seen as a world-class filmmaker. Every project he announces builds massive curiosity. -
First Collaboration with Mahesh Babu
Two of the biggest names in Telugu cinema are working together for the first time. -
IMAX and World-Class Visuals
Shooting in IMAX 1.43:1 format means the film is being built for very large screens, something rarely attempted in India. -
Adventure + Mythology Mix
The story appears to combine Indian mythology with an international adventure feel, giving it universal appeal.
With all these elements together, Varanasi is already seen as a potential blockbuster long before release.
Conclusion
With an official release year of 2027, the excitement around Varanasi continues to grow. The combination of Rajamouli’s direction, Mahesh Babu’s presence, Priyanka Chopra’s return, and the film’s ambitious technical scale makes it one of the biggest cinematic events to look forward to. As production continues, fans will be waiting for more updates, teasers, and announcements in the months ahead.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on publicly available updates, media reports, and statements made during the film’s launch event. Final release dates and details may change as the production progresses.