Will SS Rajamouli's Varanasi have more parts? Director shares update
Filmmaker SS Rajamouli said that his upcoming drama Varanasi is being made as a single film. He said its spectacle across Antarctica and Ramayana-inspired fantasy is anchored in a father-son bond.
Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has confirmed that his much-awaited film Varanasi will not be expanded into a franchise like Baahubali. Speaking during a masterclass at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, the director put speculation to rest, revealing that the ambitious project is being conceived as a standalone feature.
When asked whether Varanasi would spawn sequels, Rajamouli replied, "One film. Yes, one film."
The filmmaker, who is currently on a break from shooting Varanasi to attend the festival, also shed light on the scale and emotional core of the project. While the film promises grand visuals featuring Antarctica, mythological elements from the Ramayana, natural disasters and fantasy, he emphasised that its heart lies in a deeply personal father-son story.
"You are going to experience the cold and ice of Antarctica. The Gods of Ramayana, the natural disasters and fantastic elements. That's the experience you are going to have, but at the core of all this is the emotions of father and son. All this makes Varanasi for you," he said.
Rajamouli's latest remarks come weeks after his father and veteran screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad revealed fresh details about the film. Speaking at a Filmy Focus event, Vijayendra Prasad disclosed that Varanasi will feature a 30-minute battle sequence between Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna, inspired by the Ramayana. Teasing the scale of the sequence, he said audiences would witness Lord Hanuman's tail, a chariot and an epic clash that would leave viewers "spellbound."
When asked whether the much-talked-about scene was mythological or political, Vijayendra Prasad said, “It’s a war between Rama and Kumbhakarna You saw in the trailer, right? You saw Rama and Kumbhakarna. You saw Lord Hanuman’s tail and a chariot on it. I’m talking about that spellbound."
About Varanasi
Directed by SS Rajamouli and written by Vijayendra Prasad, Varanasi marks the filmmaker's first feature since the global success of RRR. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Priyanka Chopra in pivotal roles.
Blending mythology, Indian folklore and science fiction, Varanasi is envisioned as a globe-spanning adventure with elements of time travel. While Mahesh Babu is confirmed to portray Lord Rama, the makers are yet to officially confirm reports that Prithviraj Sukumaran will play Kumbhakarna.
The film also marks Priyanka Chopra's return to Indian cinema after an eight-year hiatus.
Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has confirmed that his much-awaited film Varanasi will not be expanded into a franchise like Baahubali. Speaking during a masterclass at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, the director put speculation to rest, revealing that the ambitious project is being conceived as a standalone feature.
When asked whether Varanasi would spawn sequels, Rajamouli replied, "One film. Yes, one film."
The filmmaker, who is currently on a break from shooting Varanasi to attend the festival, also shed light on the scale and emotional core of the project. While the film promises grand visuals featuring Antarctica, mythological elements from the Ramayana, natural disasters and fantasy, he emphasised that its heart lies in a deeply personal father-son story.
"You are going to experience the cold and ice of Antarctica. The Gods of Ramayana, the natural disasters and fantastic elements. That's the experience you are going to have, but at the core of all this is the emotions of father and son. All this makes Varanasi for you," he said.
Rajamouli's latest remarks come weeks after his father and veteran screenwriter V Vijayendra Prasad revealed fresh details about the film. Speaking at a Filmy Focus event, Vijayendra Prasad disclosed that Varanasi will feature a 30-minute battle sequence between Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna, inspired by the Ramayana. Teasing the scale of the sequence, he said audiences would witness Lord Hanuman's tail, a chariot and an epic clash that would leave viewers "spellbound."
When asked whether the much-talked-about scene was mythological or political, Vijayendra Prasad said, “It’s a war between Rama and Kumbhakarna You saw in the trailer, right? You saw Rama and Kumbhakarna. You saw Lord Hanuman’s tail and a chariot on it. I’m talking about that spellbound."
About Varanasi
Directed by SS Rajamouli and written by Vijayendra Prasad, Varanasi marks the filmmaker's first feature since the global success of RRR. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Priyanka Chopra in pivotal roles.
Blending mythology, Indian folklore and science fiction, Varanasi is envisioned as a globe-spanning adventure with elements of time travel. While Mahesh Babu is confirmed to portray Lord Rama, the makers are yet to officially confirm reports that Prithviraj Sukumaran will play Kumbhakarna.
The film also marks Priyanka Chopra's return to Indian cinema after an eight-year hiatus.
