Director SS Rajamouli has voiced the need for 1.43:1 IMAX screens in Hyderabad and across India before the release of his highly anticipated film Varanasi, scheduled for 2027. The filmmaker highlighted the project’s technological ambitions during an official announcement event held in Hyderabad on November 15.
Featuring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, Varanasi is positioned as a visual spectacle created specifically for the premium IMAX format.
Rajamouli Calls for IMAX Infrastructure Upgrade
Speaking at the event, Rajamouli said, “We are introducing a new technology to Telugu cinema. It will be a premium large-scale format filmed for IMAX.” The production will be shot in the 1.43:1 aspect ratio — a format currently supported by only a limited number of screens worldwide.
India currently hosts IMAX screens primarily in metro cities including Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, and Ahmedabad. The absence of an IMAX facility in Hyderabad — one of India’s biggest film markets — sparked conversation among fans.
Social media users questioned whether the city could expect an IMAX installation before the film’s release. Responding to the buzz, Rajamouli expressed optimism, stating, “I really hope that by the time Varanasi releases, or even before, we’ll at least have a 1.43 IMAX screen in India and an IMAX in my land Hyderabad.”
An Ambitious, Large-Scale Sci-Fi Adventure
The announcement video for Varanasi showcased dramatic imagery, ranging from an asteroid impact to sweeping visuals set in Varanasi, Antarctica and Africa. The teaser concluded with a powerful shot of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, capturing the epic scale of the project.
The cast lineup includes:
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Mahesh Babu as Rudhra
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini
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Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha
With cutting-edge filmmaking and global-scale storytelling, the film has already generated substantial anticipation across the industry.
Varanasi is slated for a massive theatrical release in summer 2027.
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