Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has confirmed that his highly anticipated film Varanasi will not be developed as a franchise like Baahubali, putting an end to ongoing speculation. Speaking at a masterclass at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, he clarified that the project is designed as a single, standalone film.
When asked about the possibility of sequels, Rajamouli responded simply, “One film. Yes, one film.”
The director, currently on a break from shooting Varanasi to attend the festival, also spoke about the film’s scale and emotional foundation. While it features large-scale visuals spanning Antarctica, elements inspired by the Ramayana, natural disasters, and fantasy-driven sequences, he stressed that the story is ultimately rooted in a father-son emotional arc.
“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 comments come shortly after his father and veteran screenwriter V. Vijayendra Prasad shared additional details about the film at a Filmy Focus event. He revealed that Varanasi will include an extended 30-minute battle sequence between Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna, drawing inspiration from the Ramayana. He also teased grand visuals involving Lord Hanuman’s tail, a chariot, and a large-scale confrontation intended to leave audiences “spellbound.”
When asked whether the sequence had mythological or political undertones, 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 V. Vijayendra Prasad, Varanasi is the filmmaker’s first project since the global success of RRR. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Priyanka Chopra in key roles.
Blending mythology, Indian folklore, and science fiction, Varanasi is envisioned as a globe-trotting adventure with time-travel elements. While Mahesh Babu is confirmed to play Lord Rama, reports suggesting Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbhakarna have not yet been officially confirmed.
The film also marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema after an eight-year break.
