The Indian film industry is gearing up for a massive financial undertaking with S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming film, “Varanaasi,” budgeted at a staggering 1,400 crore rupees (approximately $150 million).
Starring Mahesh Babu in the lead role, the film also marks the Telugu debut of Priyanka Chopra. Prithviraj Sukumaran, a prominent Malayalam actor, is also joining the cast. Mahesh Babu will portray the character of Rudra, even as Priyanka Chopra will embody Mandakini, and Prithviraj will play Kumba.
Also Read: The remarkable age gap between Dimple Kapadia and daughter Twinkle Khanna
The film’s narrative will span diverse locations, from Antarctica to Varanasi. “Varanaasi” is set to be the first Indian film shot in the 1.43:1 IMAX format, a significant technical achievement for the industry. Reports indicate that the film’s digital streaming rights have already been sold for a record price even before completion, with Netflix reportedly acquiring them for approximately 650-700 crore rupees.
Mahesh Babu has dedicated three years of dates to the project, and will receive a fee of 150 crore rupees for his role. Rajamouli, still, is forgoing a traditional salary, opting instead to receive 50 percent of the film’s profits.
Also Read: AI artists give a happy ending to the iconic Malayalam movie Kasthooriman
Priyanka Chopra, who has been absent from Indian cinema since 2019, is making a highly anticipated return with this project. The film also represents her debut in the Telugu film industry. Reports suggest Chopra is commanding a fee of 30 crore rupees, potentially making her the highest-paid Bollywood actress, surpassing Alia Bhatt and Deepika Padukone.
Reports also indicate that Prithviraj Sukumaran is earning over 10 crore rupees for his role in “Varanaasi,” a significant increase from his usual fee of 4 to 9 crore rupees per film.
Also Read: Karan Johar opens up about his zero value art collection
Prior to agreeing to star in “Varanaasi,” Priyanka Chopra reportedly made a request to Rajamouli: “I am returning to Indian cinema, so I must have a dance number. You have to make me dance!” Chopra revealed in an interview with Verity that the film will feature elaborate song-and-dance sequences, and that the choreography for one song is particularly complex.
During an appearance on Netflix’s “The Kapil Sharma Show,” the film’s budget sparked a humorous exchange. Kapil Sharma joked about whether the 1,400 crore rupees was solely for the film or also to provide employment for the people of Varanasi. To Kapil’s question about whether the budget increased after Priyanka joined the cast, she playfully responded, “Are you trying to blame me?”
‘Varanaasi’: A Gamble?
Priyanka Chopra’s Hollywood series, “Citadel,” cost approximately 2,500 crore rupees for its first season. While “Varanaasi” is the largest film ever made in India, its budget is half that of “Citadel.” Nevertheless, 1,400 crore rupees represents a significant risk for the Indian box office. Given that few films reach the 1,000 crore club, the film industry is keenly watching to see how “Varanaasi” will perform. The film is being described as the biggest “gamble” in Indian cinema.
Following the success of “Baahubali: The Beginning,” “Baahubali: The Conclusion,” and “RRR,” all directed by Rajamouli, anticipation is high for “Varanaasi.”
Written by V. Vijayendra Prasad and S.S. Kanchi, the action-adventure drama stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as the villain. Produced by Sri Durga Arts, “Varanaasi” is scheduled to release in theaters on April 7, 2027.
