‘Varanasi’: SS Rajamouli completes over 90% shoot; Mahesh Babu wraps major portions for time, travel thriller, Report
The much, anticipated Telugu, language time, travel action thriller starring Mahesh Babu and directed by SS Rajamouli has reportedly entered its final leg of production, with industry sources indicating that the team has completed over 90 percent of the principal photography. The film, tentatively referred to as ‘Varanasi’ by fans and trade circles, is believed to have wrapped up major schedules featuring the lead cast across multiple international and domestic locations. This marks the first collaboration between the director of the ‘Baahubali’ franchise and the superstar, a pairing that has generated unprecedented box, office expectations since its announcement. The project, which is being produced on a massive scale, is slated for a grand theatrical release in the coming year, positioning it as one of the most significant Pan, India offerings in recent memory.
The news of the near, completion of the shoot comes after months of rigorous filming that reportedly included extensive schedules in Hyderabad, Varanasi, and several foreign locales to capture the film’s expansive visual scope. Given Rajamouli’s reputation for crafting larger, than, life narratives, the movie is expected to blend ancient historical grandeur with futuristic sci, fi elements, a premise that has intrigued audiences ever since the initial concept was floated. The film’s working title ‘Varanasi’ has fueled speculation that the spiritual city serves as a crucial backdrop for the time, travel plot, possibly acting as a gateway between different eras. However, the makers have remained tight, lipped about the storyline, only confirming that it will feature high, octane action sequences and state, of, the, art visual effects, a hallmark of the director’s previous work. Sources within the production unit have suggested that the remaining portions primarily involve intricate VFX, heavy shots and a few song sequences, which are scheduled to be completed in the coming weeks.
While specific details regarding the plot are being guarded closely, well, established industry reports indicate that the film will see Mahesh Babu portraying a character who travels back in time, leading to a conflict that alters the course of historical events. The casting of a veteran actor in a crucial supporting role has also been confirmed by the production house, adding depth to the narrative that is said to explore themes of destiny and legacy. Rajamouli, known for his meticulous pre, visualization, has reportedly storyboarded every frame of the movie, ensuring a seamless blend of practical stunts and digital augmentation. The film’s music, composed by a leading Pan, Indian composer, is said to be in its final mixing stage, with early previews allegedly receiving an overwhelming response from the unit members. The production design, which involved recreating ancient Indian architecture alongside futuristic cityscapes, is being hailed as one of the most ambitious undertakings in Indian cinema history.
The announcement of this collaboration had initially sent shockwaves through the industry, as Mahesh Babu has often maintained a selective filmography focused on contemporary, character, driven dramas rather than large, scale period pieces. This strategic shift for the actor signifies a broader trend where established stars are increasingly willing to step out of their comfort zones to work with directors known for spectacle, driven storytelling. Trade analysts have noted that the combination of Rajamouli’s directorial acumen and Mahesh Babu’s understated screen presence could create a commercially potent mix that appeals to both urban and mass audiences. The film’s production budget, though not officially confirmed, is speculated to be among the highest ever for an Indian production, rivaling the scale of recent global blockbusters from the country. Fans have already begun trending hashtags on social media platforms, creating a massive pre, release buzz that is expected to translate into record, breaking opening numbers.
This development fits squarely into the ongoing evolution of Indian cinema, where regional productions have successfully broken linguistic barriers to dominate the national box, office landscape. Following the unprecedented success of ‘RRR’ and the ‘Baahubali’ series, exhibitors across the country are now looking at this new project as a tentpole that could redefine the theatrical experience. The film’s time, travel premise also signals a growing appetite for science, fiction themes within mainstream Indian storytelling, moving beyond pure mythology or action into more complex narrative constructs. With the Hindi film industry currently struggling to produce consistent hits, the south Indian film industry’s dominance in the pan, India market continues to shape distribution strategies, with multiplex chains allocating maximum screens to this upcoming release. Moreover, the strong visual, effects pipeline established by Rajamouli’s team is setting new technical benchmarks that other production houses are increasingly trying to emulate.
Historically, Rajamouli’s career has been defined by his ability to reinvent commercial storytelling, a journey that began with smaller fantasy films before exploding into the global phenomenon of the ‘Baahubali’ saga. His previous film ‘RRR’, a fictional account of two revolutionary figures, became a cultural touchstone in the West, winning an Academy Award for its song and earning millions overseas. In contrast, Mahesh Babu’s career has been marked by a quieter, more consistent stardom, with hits like ‘Maharshi’ and ‘Sarkaru Vaari Paata’ cementing his status as a bankable star, yet without the same level of international visibility as his new director. The pairing, therefore, represents a collision of two distinct cinematic philosophies—one rooted in maximalist, epic, scale drama and the other in restrained, urban, cool aesthetics. Past examples of such high, profile directorial, actor combinations in Telugu cinema have shown that when they succeed, they can redefine the industry’s commercial structure for a decade, and when they fail, the repercussions are felt across the market.
Looking ahead, the team is expected to head into a final intensive post, production phase, involving complex CGI rendering and sound design that will likely take several more months to complete. The makers are reportedly targeting a release date around a major festive window next year, though an official announcement is still pending until the visual effects are locked. There is also considerable speculation regarding a potential simultaneous release in multiple Indian languages including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam, a strategy that has become standard practice for Rajamouli’s films. The first teaser, which is likely to drop within the next few months, is awaited with immense curiosity as it will finally offer a glimpse into the world that has been kept under wraps for so long. With production almost in the can, the focus now shifts to marketing and distribution, where the team is expected to pull out all stops to ensure the film achieves the cultural ubiquity that has now become the signature of a Rajamouli outing. The success of this venture will not only cement the director’s legacy but also test whether the star, driven, effects, heavy formula can continue to draw audiences back to cinema halls in an increasingly fragmented digital entertainment landscape.
