SS Rajamouli wants Varanasi to achieve something Indian cinema has rarely attempted at this scale — bring audiences across the world into theatres for an Indian film, with the kind of global reach enjoyed by major Hollywood spectacles. The filmmaker’s ambition goes beyond securing an international release for Mahesh Babu’s action adventure. He wants the film to connect with moviegoers across markets, not just Indian audiences living abroad.
Rajamouli is currently in Brazil for the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival, where RRR was screened with Portuguese subtitles and he received the Leon Cakoff Career Award. The visit also provided an opportunity to showcase Varanasi and strengthen the film’s visibility in Latin America.
Speaking at an event, Rajamouli acknowledged how Netflix helped RRR find new viewers worldwide but explained why he wants Varanasi to make its impact on the big screen. “Many people discovered RRR on Netflix and there’s nothing wrong with that. But as a filmmaker, I want my audience to experience my film on the big screen. My biggest ambition for Varanasi is to have a grand worldwide theatrical release,” he said.
The ambition reflects the lessons of RRR, which earned international recognition and introduced Rajamouli’s filmmaking to audiences far beyond India. However, discovering a film on streaming is different from having it released in cinemas on a scale that makes it part of the global theatrical conversation.
With Varanasi, Rajamouli wants to bridge that gap and bring international movie lovers to theatres for an Indian production. Starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027. Whether it can draw audiences beyond established Indian cinema markets will be one big thing to watch out for upon its release.
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