Varanasi To Shoot Massive War Sequence

SS Rajamouli is set to film one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious battle sequences for his mythological epic Varanasi starting July 7, 2026, in Hyderabad. The sequence features Mahesh Babu as Lord Rama alongside 3,500 junior artists, with VFX later multiplying the crowd into a 50,000-strong vanar army on screen.

Weeks of prep have gone into the shoot, which uses motion-capture and digital augmentation to create scale far beyond the physical set. A ₹50-crore Varanasi city set was built in Hyderabad after logistical issues ruled out filming in the real location. The 30-minute war scene, written by Vijayendra Prasad, depicts the climactic clash between Rama and Kumbhakarna. It forms the narrative cornerstone of the film, blending practical stunts with extensive CGI to surpass Rajamouli’s Baahubali and RRR benchmarks.

Junior artists reportedly shaved facial hair for accurate digital tracking during motion-capture work. The director showcased the film’s first glimpse at La Cinémathèque Française in Paris on June 27, raising global anticipation. Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, with Sukumaran rumoured to play Kumbhakarna.

Rajamouli confirmed at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival that the project is a single standalone film, not a franchise. The mythological action-adventure spans multiple timelines and aims for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.