SS Rajamouli says ‘Varanasi’ is driven by father-son bond and love story across different worlds

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Ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli is gearing up for the release of his upcoming globetrotter ‘Varanasi’ alongside Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. As the film is reportedly in post-production stage, Rajamouli has shared new details about the film.

The director explained that the film travels across different worlds and time periods, but its central story is driven by human emotions.Rajamouli recently attended the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil, where he received the Leon Cakoff Career Award. His film ‘RRR’ was also screened at the festival with Portuguese subtitles, and he presented a teaser of ‘Varanasi’ as quoted by Hindustan Times.

Why Rajamouli has not revealed the story

Speaking to the ALMANAQUE21 YouTube channel during the festival, Rajamouli explained why he has not shared the film’s story in detail, unlike some of his earlier projects.“Sometimes I don’t, because the words don’t do justice to the scope of the film. That’s the reason why I released a glimpse of what Varanasi is to be. Instead of putting any words to it, we made a video which we released last year. It takes the audience through the worlds of Varanasi, what they’re going to experience, without telling them anything,” he said.

‘Varanasi’ travels across different worlds

Rajamouli revealed that ‘Varanasi’ is more than a time-travel adventure. The film moves through several locations, time zones and mythological worlds.“It is an adventure which travels through different worlds. It travels through Antarctica, through Africa, through the city of Varanasi, in different time zones. It travels into the time of mythology, where you see giants, Gods, and all that stuff,” he said.

Father-son and love stories drive the adventure

Despite the film’s large scale, Rajamouli said its emotional core lies in relationships.

He explained that the story is driven by the bond between a father and son and the love between a man and a woman.“But everything is driven by the emotion of a father and son, and the emotion of a man and a woman…the love between them. That drives this entire adventure scheme,” he added.

About ‘Varanasi’

Talking about the cast, Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran portrays the antagonist, Kumbha.The film is reportedly being made on a budget of around Rs 1,300–1,400 crore, though the makers have not officially confirmed the figure.‘Varanasi’ is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027 in multiple languages.