Varanasi Two-Part Confirmed, April 2027 Locked: SSRajamouli Is Betting His Entire Post-RRR Legacy On Mahesh Babu

"SS Rajamouli is not making a film. He's constructing a universe. Varanasi is officially a two-part theatrical event releasing April 7, 2027, built on a reported budget of Rs 1,400 crore with sets spanning from Hyderabad to Antarctica. This isn't just Mahesh Babu's career peak — it's Rajamouli's next global swing."

WHAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED

SS Rajamouli's mega production Varanasi has confirmed a worldwide theatrical release date of April 7, 2027. The film stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha. The story spans thousands of years across multiple continents including Antarctica, Africa, and Varanasi. Rajamouli confirmed 50% of the shoot is complete, with wrap expected by June 2026. The film is structured as a two-part release. Music is by Oscar-winner MM Keeravani. James Cameron has reportedly expressed interest in visiting the sets.

THE INSIDER TAKE

The Antarctica schedule alone makes Varanasi the fourth feature film in history shot there. That's not marketing — that's engineering. Rajamouli is building the infrastructure of a global blockbuster frame by frame. The two-part format isn't franchise greed; it's narrative necessity for a story that spans multiple timelines and continents. The Indiana Jones-James Bond pitch is exactly right — and Mahesh Babu has the screen presence to own it.

WHY THIS MATTERS

Varanasi is the biggest bet in Indian cinema after Ramayana. If it delivers at a global level, Indian cinema officially enters the tier of Hollywood franchise filmmaking. Priyanka Chopra's return to Indian cinema in this film adds international PR weight that no other Indian film currently has. April 2027 will be a historic month for cinema.

WHAT FANS ARE MISSING

Mahesh Babu will also appear as Lord Rama in a Ramayana episode within the Varanasi narrative — his late father Krishna always wanted him to do mythological roles. That emotional throughline is not just PR: it's the human heart of the film's publicity strategy, and it's going to hit Indian audiences like a freight train.

FAQS

Q: When does Varanasi release in theatres?

A: Varanasi releases worldwide on April 7, 2027. The date was moved from an earlier January 2027 Sankranti window to April.

Q: Is Varanasi being made in two parts?

A: Yes — Varanasi is confirmed as a two-part theatrical event. The decision was made to accommodate the full scope of the story spanning multiple timelines and continents.

Q: Who plays the villain in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi? A: Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha — described as a vicious supervillain seen in a futuristic wheelchair. His first look showed intense, ominous energy.

Q: Is Varanasi the most expensive Indian film ever made?

A: At a reported budget of Rs 1,400 crore ($100 million+), Varanasi is widely considered the most expensive Indian production in history, surpassing even the Baahubali franchise.