SS Rajamouli Reveals 50% Shoot Done For Mahesh Babu’s Varanasi, Confirms June 2026 Wrap

SS Rajamouli’s ambitious epic Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is steadily moving toward completion. Slated for a theatrical release on April 7, 2027, the film is now expected to wrap up its shoot by June 2026.

In a recent interaction with Collider, Rajamouli confirmed that nearly 50 percent of the filming has already been completed. He revealed that the most demanding portion so far has been the elaborate Ramayana episode featured in the film. Given the scale and vision of the project, the filmmaker also acknowledged that Varanasi will require extensive VFX work in post-production.

Rajamouli also reflected on the global success of Naatu Naatu from RRR, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming reception

it received worldwide. While he hopes the music of Varanasi creates a similarly powerful cultural moment, he clarified that the team has consciously avoided drawing any tonal or stylistic parallels between the two films.

Inside The World Of Varanasi

Varanasi is described as an epic adventure drama with Mahesh Babu headlining the project as Rudhra, a globe-trotting, time-traveling adventurer. In addition to his primary role, the superstar has confirmed that he will also portray Lord Rama in a key episode within the narrative.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, a mysterious femme fatale, while Prithviraj Sukumaran essays the primary antagonist, Kumbha. Though specific details about his character remain under wraps, early glimpses reveal him as a formidable supervillain, seen in a futuristic wheelchair in the first-look poster.

Initially, there were speculations that Varanasi would unfold as a two-part saga. However, Rajamouli has confirmed that the film will be a single, expansive installment with an approximate runtime of three hours.

With production advancing rapidly and post-production expected to be VFX-heavy, Varanasi is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious cinematic spectacles, aiming to blend mythology, adventure, and cutting-edge technology on an unprecedented scale.