‘Varanasi’ Teaser Unveiled: S.S. Rajamouli Brings New IMAX Landscape Technology to the Big Screen
S.S. Rajamouli has revealed the first look at his next big film, Varanasi, and it promises to be a spectacle. Following his global success with RRR in 2022, which won Best Original Song at the Oscars and became a hit on Netflix, the director is now aiming even higher.
At an event on November 15 at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, India, attended by Polygon, Rajamouli showcased new footage to a massive crowd of fans. The film, previously known under working titles like GEN 63, SSMB 29, and Globetrotter, is currently in production and scheduled for a worldwide release in 2027.
Rajamouli confirmed that Varanasi will be filmed using a new premium landscape format specifically for IMAX screens, a first for an Indian movie. “We are trying something unique for the audience. IMAX will bring an experience like never before,” he said at the event.
SS Rajamouli’s Varansi for the world. Filmed for IMAX- Mahesh Babu as Rudhra , coming in summer 2027. #Varansi #VaransiTrailer #MaheshBabu pic.twitter.com/JV6YLO1joz
— Ashwin 'Satyadev' Tiwary (@ashwinsatyadev) November 15, 2025
The teaser shows a story that spans centuries and locations. It begins in 512 CE in an ancient kingdom called Varanasi, then jumps to 2071 when meteors threaten the city. Scenes include explorers in Antarctica searching for a ship frozen in ice, dramatic wildlife moments in Africa, and battles between humans and monsters dating back to 7200 BCE. The trailer also features epic confrontations between humans and massive gods, and ends with Mahesh Babu riding a bull and wielding a trident near ancient pyramids.
Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, an adventurer and archaeologist on a quest for ancient artifacts. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays fellow explorer Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran portrays the villain Kumbha, who uses advanced tech, including a chair with robotic arms.
The film promises to combine globe-trotting adventure, historical drama, and cutting-edge visual effects. By filming in the new IMAX landscape format, Rajamouli hopes to give audiences a truly cinematic experience that emphasizes scale and detail.
Varanasi is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Indian films in recent memory, and fans are already excited about what it could bring to theaters.
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