SS Rajamouli is going bigger with Varanasi, and this time the change is built into the film’s very structure. The filmmaker’s much-awaited collaboration with Mahesh Babu is now being planned as a two-part theatrical event, turning one of Indian cinema’s most closely watched productions into an even more ambitious screen outing.
The expansion stems from the demands of the material. Varanasi is being mounted as one continuous story, and the decision to split it into two films allows Rajamouli and his team to retain the narrative’s full progression without forcing it into a single feature-length format.
Why Rajamouli Is Splitting Varanasi Into Two Films
The key update is that Varanasi is being structured as two instalments because its story requires more room. This is not being positioned as a sequel-driven franchise launch, but as one complete narrative that will unfold across two films.
That distinction matters. Rajamouli’s storytelling has often relied on patient emotional build-up and major payoffs, and Varanasi now seems set to follow that model in a more extended form. For Mahesh Babu, the project already marked a major first-time collaboration with the director. The two-part plan now raises the importance of that pairing even further.
The Cast, Setting And Film Details So Far
Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu in the lead, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in key roles. It is directed by SS Rajamouli and backed by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business. The film is an action adventure and carries a 2027 release window.
The story remains under wraps, but the film’s setting and title have already sparked intense curiosity. Varanasi, one of India’s most spiritually and visually striking cities, gives the project a strong thematic identity, while the combination of Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran points to a cast designed for broad national and international attention.
Mahesh Babu’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Mahesh Babu was last seen in Guntur Kaaram in 2024, directed by Trivikram Srinivas. Before that came Sarkaru Vaari Paata in 2022. Both were theatrical releases and reinforced his standing as one of Telugu cinema’s biggest stars during a phase where he stayed firmly rooted in mainstream commercial storytelling.
His next confirmed theatrical project is Varanasi, and it stands apart from his recent line-up because of the director at the helm and the film’s long-format storytelling design. The collaboration with Rajamouli has been treated as a landmark move ever since it was announced. With the project now taking shape as a two-part theatrical event, it is positioned as one of the most important films in Mahesh Babu’s career.
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