Mahesh Babu's Varanasi Still Has 80 Days of Shooting Left, SS Rajamouli Reveals

SS Rajamouli has finally lifted the curtain on the production status of his much anticipated epic Varanasi , and the update is enough to excite fans waiting for his first collaboration with Mahesh Babu . Speaking during a special RRR event and masterclass in France, the celebrated filmmaker revealed that the movie still has around 80 days of filming remaining, but assured fans that the toughest part of the production is already behind the team.

Keeping his trademark secrecy intact, Rajamouli joked that producer K. L. Narayana would not allow him to reveal too much. However, he confirmed that the film's massive action spectacles have already been completed. The remaining schedule will focus largely on dramatic and character driven scenes before cameras stop rolling for good.

The director also hinted that filming could be wrapped up by September or October 2026 , after which the team will shift its attention to the extensive post production work required for the visual effects heavy adventure. Given Rajamouli's reputation for meticulous filmmaking, the months after production are expected to be devoted to VFX, sound design, and final polishing.

Adding to the excitement, Rajamouli recently confirmed that Varanasi will not be split into multiple parts despite widespread speculation. Instead, the ambitious story will unfold as a single cinematic experience with a runtime of around three hours. He has also teased an elaborate 30 minute Rama versus Kumbhakarna battle sequence , describing it as one of the film's biggest highlights.

The film stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra , Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini , and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha . Set across multiple timelines and locations, including Antarctica, the adventure reportedly blends mythology, fantasy, and large scale action, making it one of the most ambitious Indian films ever mounted.

Rajamouli's update came during an eventful visit to France, where he was honoured with a permanent place at the prestigious Cinémathèque Française . During the trip, audiences also got an exclusive glimpse of Varanasi , with the first footage reportedly receiving loud cheers at a special screening of RRR in Paris, highlighting the growing global anticipation surrounding the film.

Meanwhile, reports suggest the production is preparing for another grand schedule, including a massive war sequence involving Mahesh Babu and nearly 3,500 junior artistes , further underlining the film's enormous scale.