Director S.S. Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi features an epic scope that surpasses James Cameron's Avatar, blending Hindu mythology with a timeline from 7,000 BCE to 2027. In an exclusive interview, star Priyanka Chopra Jonas described it as a genre of its own. The project was announced at a massive event in Hyderabad, India, attended by over 50,000 fans.
S.S. Rajamouli, known for the global hit RRR, is directing Varanasi, his most ambitious project yet. The film stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mahesh Babu. A set visit and trailer event took place in Hyderabad, India, in November 2025, drawing over 50,000 passionate fans to an outdoor amphitheater.
Journalists, including those from /Film, explored the production, which emphasizes visual effects, Hindu mythology, and sweeping narratives. Priyanka Chopra Jonas addressed comparisons to Avatar, noting its lush landscapes but highlighting Varanasi's greater scale. "I mean, scale? Maybe. But there's so much that happens in this movie [...] We start from 7,000 BCE and we come down to 2027. So you're modern, contemporary and, at the same time, your time traveling. But it's not like 'Back to the Future.' It's not like you get into a machine and travel. You'll see how that happens within, for our characters. And at the same time, it's an adventure film. So it's like, 'Oh, is it like an 'Indiana Jones?' But it's not just that."
The actress emphasized the film's uniqueness. "It is a genre of its own, I think. And I think that's what [S.S. Rajamouli's] ambition was, to create something which is his biggest, most ambitious project, but at the same time to create a genre of cinema within itself. And that's so exciting."
Principal photography was in early stages, with location shooting in Africa and greenscreen work underway. Rajamouli's previous works, like RRR and the Baahubali epics, defied conventions, setting expectations high for Varanasi. The film is scheduled for theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
