S.S. Rajamouli, the acclaimed director behind ‘RRR’, is set to return to cinemas with his next ambitious project, Varanasi, which has now secured a worldwide theatrical release date of 7 April 2027. Positioned as one of the most significant international releases of the year, the film marks another large-scale chapter in the filmmaker’s career.
The action-adventure epic reunites Rajamouli with Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani, whose song Naatu Naatu from RRR earned the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Leading the cast is Telugu cinema star Mahesh Babu, alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Spanning thousands of years, the story unfolds across multiple continents, travelling from Antarctica to Africa before arriving at the titular Indian city of Varanasi. Described in the film’s publicity material as being “in the vein of Indiana Jones and James Bond”, the narrative promises a globe-trotting adventure on an epic scale.
Mahesh Babu plays the protagonist, Rudhra, while Chopra Jonas appears as a character named Mandakini. Prithviraj Sukumaran takes on the role of the primary antagonist, Kumbha. Rajamouli offered audiences a first glimpse of the project with the unveiling of initial footage in November, further fuelling anticipation for the film.
With its international scope, star-studded cast and celebrated creative team, Varanasi is set to arrive in cinemas worldwide in April 2027 as one of the year’s most anticipated releases.