After delivering global blockbusters like Baahubali franchise and RRR, ace filmmaker S S Rajamouli is gearing up for his next big-screen spectacle, Varanasi.
Expectations are sky-high as the director prepares to present Mahesh Babu in what is being described as one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema.
Over the years, actors like Prabhas, Jr NTR and Ram Charan have delivered career-defining performances under Rajamouli’s direction.
Now, audiences are eagerly waiting to see Mahesh Babu unleash a new avatar on the big screen. Mounted on a massive scale, Varanasi carries enormous pressure to perform exceptionally well at the Indian box office.
The epic action-adventure has been in development for a long time, and the ground-level buzz is unmistakable.
Rajamouli’s reputation for crafting visually grand spectacles has only heightened curiosity.
The first glimpse of the film, released two months ago, lived up to expectations and went viral instantly, pushing pre-release hype to unprecedented levels.
Scheduled for a theatrical release on April 7, Varanasi is expected to open to record-breaking numbers across India.
Trade circles believe a Day 1 net collection of around â¹150 crore is a realistic target. However, given the film’s staggering budget, a strong opening alone will not be enough.
According to Variety, the magnum opus is being made on a budget of $150 million. At current exchange rates, that translates to approximately â¹1,359 crore, placing Varanasi among the most expensive films ever produced in India.
With elements rooted in Hindu mythology, the Mahesh Babu starrer is expected to resonate strongly with Hindi-speaking audiences as well.
If word of mouth turns positive, Varanasi has the potential to deliver historic box-office collections and further cement Rajamouli’s status as a global filmmaking force.