S.S. Rajamouli's 'Varanasi': Release Date, Cast, and Plot Details Revealed

6 days ago 8

Published Jan 29, 2026, 11:00 AM EST

Rahul Malhotra is a Weekend News Writer for Collider. From Francois Ozon to David Fincher, he'll watch anything once.

He has been writing for Collider for over two years, and has covered everything from Marvel to the Oscars, and Marvel at the Oscars. He also writes obsessively about the box office, charting the many hits and misses that are released weekly, and how their commercial performance shapes public perception. In his time at Collider, he has also helped drive diversity by writing stories about the multiple Indian film industries, with a goal to introduce audiences to a whole new world of cinema.

Swing and a miss > measured victory. Also, #JusticeForHan. (He/Him).

Director S.S. Rajamouli's long-awaited follow-up to the blockbuster film RRR isn't a Hollywood franchise film, nor is it the crossover vehicle that many would've expected him to make. For his next magic trick, the filmmaker is sticking to what he knows best: making boundary-pushing Indian movies aimed primarily at Indian audiences. Of course, interest from the West will be at an all-time high, considering how massive RRR became in the United States. Rajamouli's fans don't have to wait much longer to experience his new epic. The upcoming movie, whose title was recently revealed to be Varanasi, now has a release date. Varanasi will debut globally on April 7, 2027 — marking a five-year gap since RRR.

Varanasi, which is named after the ancient Indian city sacred to Hindus, stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role of Rudhra. Both Babu and Rajamouli are best known for their work in Telugu-language cinema. India has various regional-language film industries that rarely intersect with each other. It was Rajamouli who popularized the concept of the "pan-India" film with Baahubali: The Beginning and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion around a decade ago. He is responsible for some of the highest-grossing Indian films ever made, primarily because they are consumed by audiences across the country and beyond. RRR made approximately $170 million at the worldwide box office, while the two Baahubali historical epics grossed a combined total of around $300 million worldwide.

S.S. Rajamouli Is Taking on Taylor Sheridan

Varanasi, produced on a reported budget of $100 million, will broaden its appeal with the participation of Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who made a name for herself in the Hindi-language film industry before taking the plunge in Hollywood. Prithviraj Sukumaran, best known for his work in the Malayalam-language film industry, is playing the antagonist. The film has been described as a cross between the Indiana Jones and the James Bond franchises, and, according to its official synopsis, "takes place over thousands of years and in locations around the world from Antarctica to Africa to the titular city in India." Varanasi was announced a few weeks ago with a teaser trailer that showcased the film's epic scope and introduced the protagonist, riding a bull and wielding a trident.

Filmed for IMAX, the movie will be released in theaters worldwide on April 7, 2027 — only a couple of weeks before Taylor Sheridan's F.A.S.T. Stay tuned to Collider for more updates.