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Tag: #Tollywood

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.

Priyanka Chopra Wraps Hyderabad Schedule of Rajamouli–Mahesh Babu’s Varanasi

Superstar Mahesh Babu and ace director SS Rajamouli are joining hands for the much-awaited magnum opus Varanasi, being made on a massive budget. Global icon Priyanka Chopra plays the female lead, while Prithviraj Sukumaran will be seen as the antagonist.

Priyanka Chopra has officially wrapped up her Hyderabad schedule for the month and shared the update on Instagram. She revealed that she is heading to Los Angeles to promote her upcoming English action thriller The Bluff, which is slated for release on February 25, 2026. The shooting of Varanasi will continue in her absence, and she is expected to rejoin the sets soon.

The film also stars Prakash Raj and a noted Tamil actor who recently appeared in a Bollywood blockbuster, playing key roles. KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya are producing the project, with MM Keeravaani composing the music.

Shot specially for IMAX, Varanasi promises a grand and immersive cinematic experience and is scheduled for a pan-Indian release on April 7, 2027, in multiple languages.

SSMB29 Becomes ‘Varanasi’: Rajamouli Drops a Spectacle, Fans Go Wild

The stage was set, the fans were buzzing, and when the moment finally came, it was nothing short of cinematic thunder. The highly-anticipated event for Sony/Sri Durga Arts’ upcoming magnum opus — formerly referred to as SSMB29 or GlobeTrotter — finally made its big reveal: the official title is Varanasi. The event, held at the sprawling Ramoji Film City on 15 November 2025, marked a milestone in Indian cinema’s grand-scale storytelling. 

The Event & Unveiling

From the outset, the organisers under director S. S. Rajamouli spared no effort. In fact, the entry pass was replaced with a passport-style booklet, embracing the “GlobeTrotter” theme. 

 Over 50,000 fans reportedly gathered at Ramoji to witness the spectacle live, while the title reveal and first look were streamed online for the rest of the world

The big moment: the screen lit up, the title Varanasi emerged in all its glory, and then a striking motion poster appeared — featuring lead actor Mahesh Babu riding a powerful bull, trident in hand, muscles taut, backdrop of myth and mystery swirling.

Character & Concept Glimpse

Rajamouli wasn’t just unveiling a title — he teased an entire world. Mahesh Babu was introduced as Rudhra, a rugged explorer-hero unlike anything the actor has played before. 

The film also brings onboard global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas (as Mandakini) and Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran (as Kumbha), setting up a mass-pan-Indian collaboration.

In his speech, Rajamouli revealed that a pivotal sequence elevates the story to mythic proportions — Mahesh Babu’s avatar draws on the charm of Krishna and the calm of Rama, suggesting that the film may reinterpret epic motifs for a modern audience.

Visuals & Ambition

The teaser/glimpse played at the event spanned time and space: from the ancient city of Varanasi to jungle terrains in Africa, from 512 CE to 2027 CE, even Antarctica making a dramatic appearance. The set design is reported to include a full recreation of Varanasi within Ramoji, and the film is being shot for IMAX in the truest sense. 

Director Rajamouli also addressed a hiccup — a technical glitch delayed the full screening of the teaser, and he lamented footage leaked by a drone during testing, pointing to the immense stakes and scale of the project. 

Reactions & Highlights

Social media exploded. One fan cried out in Telugu:

“Arey asalem jaruguthundi ra akkada. What the frame. MB on nandi (impressed).”

From the stage, Mahesh Babu pledged:

“I’ll make everyone proud! Most importantly, I’ll make my director proud. After Varanasi is released, the whole of India will be proud.” 

Priyanka Chopra Jonas reflected:

“The energy tonight is electrifying… I am so glad to be back making this movie in my beloved India. The best and only way to join Telugu cinema is to do it with such greats.”

Prithviraj, moved by Rajamouli’s narration, said he was “mind-blown” within the first five minutes of the script – calling the scale and ambition “the best filmmaker in India again pushing his limits.

What This Means

With Varanasi, Rajamouli is signalling something beyond just another big film — it appears to be an action-mythology-adventure designed for global impact. The choice of title, blending the sacred Indian city Varanasi with a story that spans continents and epochs, hints at a bridging of local ethos and universal spectacle.

For Mahesh Babu, this marks his first collaboration with Rajamouli and perhaps a reinvention of his screen persona. For Indian cinema — particularly Telugu cinema — the barrage is clear: think big, think global, and tell stories that resonate mythically and theatrically.

What’s Next?The film is slated for a January 2027 release, according to the event introduction.More details are expected soon: full trailer drop, teaser roll-outs, international market strategies, and more glimpses of the cast and crew in action.

Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes

Veteran Actor Kota Srinivasa Rao Passes Away

Hyderabad, July 13, 2025 – Renowned veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away early Sunday morning at the age of 83, following a prolonged illness. He breathed his last at his residence in Filmnagar, Hyderabad, after battling age-related health complications over the past few weeks.

Kota Srinivasa Rao was a towering figure in Indian cinema, particularly in the Telugu film industry. With a career spanning more than four decades, he acted in over 750 films across Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada languages. Known for his distinctive voice, commanding screen presence, and mastery over dialects, Kota seamlessly portrayed a wide range of roles, from villains and comedians to strong supporting characters.

Born on July 10, 1942, in Kanakipadu, Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh, Kota began his journey as a stage actor before making his film debut in 1978 with Pranam Khareedu, which also starred a young Chiranjeevi. Initially known for character and comic roles, he rose to prominence as a formidable villain with the 1985 film Pratighatana. His performance was widely appreciated, and he was soon recognized as an actor who redefined the antagonist role in Telugu cinema.

Some of his most memorable films include:

  • Aha! Naa Pellanta
  • Yamudiki Mogudu
  • Khaidi No. 786
  • Shiva
  • Bobbili Raja
  • Yamaleela
  • Santosham
  • Bommarillu
  • Athadu
  • Race Gurram

Kota was also known for his successful on-screen partnership with comedian Babu Mohan. The duo featured together in about 60 films, and their combination was often seen as a guarantee of box office success in the 1990s.

Beyond cinema, Kota had a brief but impactful political career. He served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Vijayawada East constituency representing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) from 1999 to 2004.

In recognition of his immense contribution to Indian cinema, he was awarded the Padma Shri in 2015, along with several Nandi Awards from the Government of Andhra Pradesh.

Tragedy struck his personal life in 2010 when his only son, Kota Venkata Anjaneya Prasad, died in a road accident in Hyderabad. He is survived by his wife and two daughters.

News of his passing has triggered an outpouring of grief from the film fraternity, political leaders, and fans across Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Tributes continue to pour in, celebrating his illustrious career and unmatched legacy in Indian cinema.

Kota Srinivasa Rao will forever be remembered as a versatile performer, a master of dialogue delivery, and a pillar of South Indian cinema.

May his soul rest in peace.