Why SS Rajamouli's Varanasi Shoot Was Denied 150 Water Tankers in Hyderabad?

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Rajamouli’s much-anticipated film Varanasi has hit an unexpected hurdle in Hyderabad. The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) rejected a request for 150 water tankers for the film's shoot. The filmmakers wanted equipment to capture extensive underwater scenes on a specially built set on the outskirts of the city. It is reported that this decision has affected the preparation of an important scene planned on a specially built set. Meanwhile, Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha and it will hit theatres on April 7, 2027.

Varanasi shoot was denied 150 water tankers

Telangana Today mentioned that the SS Rajamouli's Varanasi production team was turned down by the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (HMWSSB) as the filmmakers had reportedly sought a large supply of water tankers to support the shooting of elaborate underwater sequences at a specially constructed set on the outskirts of the city.According to sources, the film's production company planned extensive water-centric scenes and built a special water supply system for filming, so to meet the technical requirements of the shoot, they requested a substantial number of tankers to fill and maintain the artificial water setup. However, the request was rejected by the water board.

Officials cited the ongoing summer season as a key reason behind the decision. With the increase in water demand in Hyderabad and the pressure on the existing supply system due to excessive hot, authorities have said they are unable to provide such a large number of water tankers for non-essential use. They want adequate water supply for residents across the city.

Varanasi shoot scheduled impacted?

Due to the rejection, the planned schedule for the underwater sequences for Varanasi, which were expected to be a visually significant part of the film got affected. Although the production team expressed interest in covering the cost of the tanker and other ancillary expenses, the sheer volume of demand reportedly caused concern within the department.

More about Varanasi

Meanwhile, during the Comic Con Experience Mexico 2026, producer S. S. Karthikeya revealed that in Varanasi, there will be 20 minutes of Ramayana, highlighting the culture of India. Speaking about the plot, Rudra (Mahes Babu) travels across the globe to prevent a catastrophic asteroid collision caused by a cosmic artifact. Varanasi spans timelines from 512 AD to 2027, exploring a butterfly effect triggered by an ancient ritual that impacts events across centuries.