SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi Sets Historic Benchmark with Rs 1000 Crore OTT Bids

Bhubaneswar: Acclaimed filmmaker SS Rajamouli’s upcoming epic Varanasi is already rewriting the rules of Indian cinema ahead of its release.

Slated for Sankranthi 2027, the film has sparked unprecedented global interest, with major streaming platforms reportedly bidding close to Rs 1000 crore for its digital rights.

Featuring superstar Mahesh Babu, global icon Priyanka Chopra in her much-anticipated return to Indian cinema, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist, Varanasi promises scale and ambition on par with Hollywood blockbusters.

Industry insiders note that this valuation places Varanasi in a league of its own, surpassing previous records set by Rajamouli’s RRR and Baahubali 2.

When combined with satellite, music, and theatrical rights, the film is positioned to become the most commercially significant Indian production ever.

Rajamouli unveiled the title and a three-minute concept video last month at Ramoji Film City, hinting at a sweeping narrative that blends science fiction with Ramayana-inspired themes, spanning continents and eras.

With one of the largest budgets in Indian film history, Varanasi is expected to redefine global perceptions of Indian cinema.