RRR Varanasi Epic in Full IMAX

The cinematic landscape just got a major upgrade. Acclaimed filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli has confirmed that his upcoming epic, Varanasi, is poised to redefine scale by being shot entirely in IMAX, following the visionary approach seen in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey.

This ambitious project isn’t just about a bigger screen; it represents a monumental technical commitment. Varanasi marks the second major feature film to adopt this rigorous IMAX format, and uniquely, it is the first non-English language movie shot in the immersive 1.43:1 IMAX ratio.

The scale of the production is staggering. Rajamouli has already completed approximately 80% of the film’s large-scale action sequences using this premium format, with only smaller segments remaining to be captured. This dedication to high-fidelity visuals has streamlined the post-production process, allowing VFX teams to work in parallel and maintain an incredibly tight production schedule.

The scope of the film reflects its ambition. Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu, Chatrapathi Sekhar, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, backed by a colossal budget of $150 million—making it easily the most expensive Indian film ever produced. This financial investment fuels an astonishing visual journey that spans continents.

The visual tapestry woven into this adventure is global. Filming locations included breathtaking landscapes across India, the majestic Amboseli National Park in Kenya, and even the stark beauty of the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica, lending an unparalleled sense of epic adventure to the narrative.

At its core, the story follows Rudhra (Babu) as he navigates the perils faced by the city of Varanasi as it confronts the impending arrival of an asteroid. The film draws heavily on the structure and emotional tone of classic adventure cinema, promising a thrilling blend of high-stakes drama and cinematic spectacle.

Despite the global reach of its production, Rajamouli has confirmed that Varanasi will be presented as a single, cohesive three-hour movie. Mark your calendars: the film is set to arrive in cinemas worldwide on April 7th, 2027.