SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi: The Big Twist Around Its Release Explained
Indian cinema’s most anticipated film in years, Varanasi, directed by acclaimed filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli, has already sparked extraordinary excitement — and controversy — long before it hits theaters. Touted as one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema history, Varanasi combines mythic storytelling, high-concept science fiction elements and lavish visuals, featuring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles.
Yet behind the hype lies an unexpected “twist” — not within the film’s plot, which is still tightly guarded, but in how the movie’s release narrative is unfolding. This twist involves release timing shifts, distribution strategies, promotional reveals, legal complications over the title, and cultural controversies, reshaping expectations for one of India’s most high-profile cinematic events.
Here’s a detailed, comprehensive look at the background, causes, impact, and future outlook of this release saga.
A Brief Background: Rajamouli’s Cinematic Legacy and Varanasi’s Genesis
S. S. Rajamouli, the director famous globally for Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017), and RRR (2022), has established himself as India’s premier filmmaker of large-scale epics and heroic action dramas. His films are known for grand visuals, mythic themes, and universal storytelling, earning both commercial success and international acclaim.
Varanasi — previously referred to during production as SSMB29 or the working title Globetrotter — marks Rajamouli’s first collaboration with Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu. It’s also one of the first Indian films expressly shot with sequences formatted for IMAX 1.43:1, and is intended for simultaneous release in multiple Indian languages with global distribution ambitions.
Rather than straightforward historical fantasy, Varanasi blends time-travel elements, mythological motifs drawn from Hindu epics like the Ramayana, and cinematic adventure, intended to appeal to both domestic and international audiences.
The “Big Twist”: Not What’s in the Story, But What’s Out of It
When most people talk about a “big twist” in a film context, they refer to a plot surprise. In Varanasi’s case, though, the “twist” surrounding its release is real-world and multi-layered. Rather than a narrative spoiler, it’s a series of developments unrelated to the fictional story — yet significant enough to shape how the film arrives in theaters and public consciousness.
1. Delay and Shifting Release Dates
Originally slated for a summer 2027 release, Varanasi’s exact theatrical debut has been a topic of evolving reports and speculation. Some sources suggested a release around Sankranti 2027, which typically falls in mid-January — a period known for big holiday releases — while others reported dates around April 9–15, 2027.
This variation in projected release windows has caused confusion among fans, distributors, and media observers, as industry watchers await an official, confirmed date from the makers.
2. Title Ownership Dispute
Another surprise twist wasn’t in the story, but in Varanasi’s title itself. Shortly after Rajamouli’s team revealed the name Varanasi, a dispute emerged involving another production company that claimed prior rights to the same title under the Producers Council registry.
Although the title was officially unveiled with Rajamouli’s creative branding, this legal tussle — over whether the name belongs to his film or someone else’s project — has added an unexpected layer of pre-release controversy.
3. Controversial Comments at Promotional Events
At the grand launch event held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Rajamouli spoke passionately about how parts of the Ramayana influenced sequences in his film, describing the creative process as emotionally overwhelming. That seemingly personal artistic reflection stirred debate when some organizations interpreted the remarks through a socio-religious lens.
This has generated localized controversy involving cultural groups and resulted in public discussion that had nothing to do with the movie itself but instead emerged from the promotional narrative.
4. Unusual Global Promotional Strategy
The Varanasi teaser has been showcased not only across India but also internationally. In early January 2026, organizers confirmed that Varanasi became the first Indian film to screen its promotional content at Paris’s historic Le Grand Rex theatre, marking a broader global push.
This global-first promotional move is itself a twist on the traditional Indian film release strategy — combining local fandom with international marketing moments more typical of big Hollywood rollouts.
Causes Behind the Shifted Release Narrative
Several factors drive this unusual release saga:
A. Technical and Production Scale
Varanasi is being constructed at a scale rarely seen in Indian cinema: massive budget estimates north of ₹1,200 crore, elaborate VFX, and sequences mixing mythological themes with science-fiction storytelling. The intricacy of such production naturally introduces timing uncertainties in final post-production and visual effects completion.
B. Strategic Timing and Audience Maximization
Indian film producers often time major releases around holidays and festival seasons to maximize box-office returns. Negotiations over the best release window — Sankranti, summer break, or an April holiday — reflect a tactical decision balancing global distribution, competition, and fan anticipation.
C. Marketing Overreach and Global Positioning
Rajamouli’s team appears intent on positioning Varanasi as a crossover global event film, not merely a regional blockbuster. This ambition fuels decisions like international teaser showcases, foreign marketing presence, and multilingual release planning — efforts that naturally complicate scheduling and messaging.
D. Legal and Cultural Sensitivities
Disputes over the title and reactions to comments made at promotional events signal how cinema intersects with industry regulation and cultural discourse in India. Creative media today is under intense public scrutiny, where even offhand remarks may get amplified and politicized.
Impact on Fans, Industry, and the Public
The twists around Varanasi’s release haven’t quieted excitement; if anything, they’ve amplified curiosity and discussion across social media, entertainment forums, and film industry circles.
1. Fan Engagement and Speculation
Whether through debates over release dates or intense chatter about casting and concept art, fans have intensified their engagement with the film. Uncertainty often fuels speculation — both positive and critical — which keeps the title trending and top of mind across platforms.
2. Marketing Noise vs. Narrative Focus
The promotional narrative around Varanasi has arguably diluted the singular focus on the film’s plot and characters in favor of broader public socio-cultural narratives. Conversations about title rights and cultural interpretations could overshadow storytelling discussions — a double-edged sword in media visibility.
3. Industry Practices and Legal Awareness
The title dispute highlights how even heavyweight filmmakers must navigate legal norms in industry governance, reminding peers that trademark and title registration rights bear real-world implications for major projects.
Future Outlook: What’s Next for Varanasi
Looking ahead, major questions remain:
Confirmed Release Date
Indian and global audiences await an official announcement clarifying whether Varanasi will debut during Sankranti 2027 in January, in April’s holiday season, or later in summer 2027 — each window carrying different implications for box office performance and audience reach.
Resolution of Title Matters
It’s expected that negotiations through industry boards or legal channels will determine whether the title issue is resolved amicably or escalated — a process that could set precedents for future high-value films.
Audience Expectations for Content and Scale
With a mythologically-infused time-travel narrative, an unprecedented production scale, and Rajamouli’s creative track record, Varanasi is positioned to be a watershed event in Indian filmmaking — perhaps even a new benchmark for cross-cultural storytelling.
Conclusion
The “big twist” surrounding Varanasi isn’t in its plot — which remains largely shrouded in secrecy — but in how the film’s release is unfolding as a complex real-world narrative of timing shifts, legal challenges, cultural debates, and global promotion strategies.
These real-life developments show that in modern cinema, the story behind a movie’s release can be as compelling and unpredictable as anything on screen. Varanasi, with its mesh of myth, spectacle, and controversy, stands poised not just to be a blockbuster, but a cinematic moment that transcends its narrative to become a cultural talking point.