Rajamouli Targets the Global Box Office With Varanasi
SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, is shaping up to be one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious upcoming projects. Following the international success of Baahubali and RRR, expectations are high for the director’s next adventure, which also features Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles.
Reports suggest the film is being mounted on a massive budget, with producers KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya backing the project. Its reported production scale has fuelled speculation about an extensive international release strategy. However, claims about the exact budget, release schedule and number of screens have not been officially confirmed by the makers.
Industry reports suggest the team is exploring a wide global distribution network, with North America among the key markets. Speculation about a release across 60,000–65,000 screens and a $50 million North American box office target has attracted attention, though neither figure should be treated as a confirmed plan.
Rajamouli’s track record with RRR, which earned international recognition and won an Academy Award for its song “Naatu Naatu,” gives Varanasi a strong platform to reach audiences beyond India. Mahesh Babu’s transformation for the adventure driven story has also raised curiosity. Whether the film can challenge worldwide box office records will ultimately depend on its content, audience reception, distribution and release strategy. Varanasi with its 1300 crore budget is the most costliest single part Indian film.
- Veda
