SS Rajamouli demands IMAX screen in Hyderabad before Varanasi release in 2027
Director SS Rajamouli is hopeful that Hyderabad will see the installation of 1.43 IMAX screens ahead of the release of his upcoming film ‘Varanasi’, which is scheduled for 2027. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.
Director SS Rajamouli has called for setting up 1.43 IMAX screens in Hyderabad and across India ahead of the scheduled 2027 release of his upcoming film ‘Varanasi’. The film starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran was formally announced at an event in Hyderabad recently, where Rajamouli highlighted the technical ambitions of the project.
“We are introducing a new technology in Telugu cinema. It will be a premium large-scale format shot for IMAX,” Rajamouli said at the event held on 15 November. The film will be shot in 1.43:1 aspect ratio, a format known for its immersive visual experience and typically available at limited screening locations.
Currently, IMAX screens in India are concentrated in major cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Ahmedabad. In Hyderabad, where the announcement took place, the absence of IMAX screens became a topic of discussion among fans and attendees.
A fan on social media commented, “There is no IMAX in Hyderabad where the actual incident took place where this news was confirmed. Can we expect IMAX in Hyderabad by 2027?” Another user replied, “Let’s hope so.” These conversations drew widespread attention to the gap in IMAX infrastructure in one of India’s major film hubs.
Responding to fans, Rajamouli commented, “I really hope that by the time #Varanasi releases or even before that, we will have at least 1.43 IMAX screens in India and one IMAX in my land Hyderabad.”
‘Varanasi’ was announced with a video featuring dramatic scenes, including an asteroid impact and scenes set in locations such as Varanasi, Antarctica and Africa. The trailer concludes with a spectacular image of Mahesh Babu’s character, giving a glimpse of the ambitious scale of the film.
Mahesh Babu plays the role of Rudra, Priyanka Chopra is set to play the role of Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran will be seen as the antagonist Kumbha. The announcement video has generated considerable buzz, with fans anticipating the large-scale production and use of cutting-edge technology.
It is expected that ‘Varanasi’ will be released in theaters on a large scale in the summer of 2027.