SS Rajamouli’s Grand Varanasi Set In Hyderabad: A Game-Changer For Mahesh Babu’s Mega Film
Ace filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli is once again pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema with his upcoming film starring Mahesh Babu. Instead of shooting in the real city of Varanasi, the director has recreated the holy city entirely in Hyderabad—and the scale is massive.
🏗️ Why Recreate Varanasi?
Filming in Varanasi, one of India’s busiest and most sacred cities, comes with major challenges:
- Heavy crowds and restricted access
- Difficulty in controlling locations
- Complex logistics for large-scale shoots
To overcome this, Rajamouli chose to build a full-scale replica, giving him complete creative control over every detail.
🎥 A Massive Set Built from Scratch
The set is not just a simple backdrop—it’s a highly detailed reconstruction of Varanasi’s iconic architecture and ghats.
- Built across several acres in Hyderabad
- Includes temple structures like Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple
- Designed using real-life references and thousands of photographs
- Constructed with durable materials to last for years
👉 The goal: make it look so real that audiences feel like they are actually in Varanasi.
💰 Big Budget, Bigger Vision
This film, often referred to as “Varanasi” (SSMB29), is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made, with reports suggesting a budget of around ₹1000+ crore.
The movie stars:
- Mahesh Babu
- Priyanka Chopra
- Prithviraj Sukumaran
⚙️ Technology Meets Real Sets
Rajamouli is not just relying on physical sets—he is also using:
- Advanced VFX and motion capture
- Large-scale action sequences
- Global filming locations like Africa and Georgia
This combination of real sets + technology aims to deliver a truly immersive cinematic experience.
🔐 High Secrecy on Set
To avoid leaks, the production team has taken strict measures:
- No mobile phones allowed
- Heavy security around the set
- Limited access to outsiders
🌍 A Film Made for Global Audience
Rajamouli’s vision is clear:
👉 Create a world-class cinematic experience that can compete globally
With its scale, technology, and storytelling, this film is expected to be a landmark project in Indian cinema, much like Baahubali and RRR.