SS Rajamouli’s upcoming magnum opus Varanasi is already creating waves internationally. A special glimpse of the film, which was screened during the director’s Europe tour in France, received an enthusiastic response from the French audience. The event took place on June 26, 2026, at La Cinémathèque Française in Paris, where a screening of Rajamouli’s Oscar-winning blockbuster RRR was followed by exclusive previews of Varanasi and the animated Baahubali: The Eternal War Part 1.
A video shared on the official Instagram page of Varanasi captured the electric atmosphere inside the theatre. As soon as Mahesh Babu appeared on screen in the Varanasi glimpse, the French audience erupted in loud cheers, whistles, and applause. The excitement continued even after the preview ended, highlighting the film’s growing global appeal. The caption accompanying the video read, “In Annecy, France!! 1000’s of miles away from India, 100’s of French audience at an #RRRMovie screening and the applause for the #Varanasi glimpse was surreal…”
What the Varanasi Glimpse Showed
The exclusive footage offered a first look at Mahesh Babu’s character, Rudhra, described as a globetrotter and a timetrotter. The brief clip showed the actor in a rugged avatar, riding a bull against the backdrop of the spiritual city, which is central to the film’s narrative. The film, written by V. Vijayendra Prasad, is rumored to be a high-concept time-travel adventure that blends Indian mythology with science fiction, similar to the spirit of Indiana Jones.
The Varanasi glimpse is part of a much larger promotional strategy. The filmmakers are reportedly spending between ₹150 to ₹200 crore to target international markets, aiming to release the film in over 100 countries with subtitles. This aggressive campaign includes events in France, Brazil, and Mexico, building on the global success Rajamouli achieved with RRR.
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Varanasi marks the first collaboration between SS Rajamouli and Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, making it one of the most anticipated Indian films of the decade. The film also features Priyanka Chopra Jonas, marking her return to Indian cinema after nearly eight years, alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran.
SS Rajamouli recently shared an update on the film’s progress at the Annecy Animation Festival, stating that a major portion of the shoot, including all the big spectacle action sequences, is complete. He expects to finish shooting the remaining scenes by October 2026. In a major technical leap, the film is being shot entirely in the IMAX 1.43:1 format. Varanasi is currently scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
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