The international filming schedule for the highly anticipated pan-Indian film Varanasi has been disrupted. Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East forced the makers, led by SS Rajamouli, to cancel their planned shoot in the region. Production has now shifted to Hyderabad, the hub of Tollywood. A recently completed schedule took place on a set in Kondapur’s Aluminium Factory (a site frequently used for action movies). The team is now moving to Shamshabad for the upcoming portions.
Interestingly, the film has a unique connection to the Jr. NTR-starrer Devara. For that movie, a specialized set resembling a deep sea was built using blue matte technology. The Varanasi team is now utilizing this same technical backdrop for their current schedule. This shift highlights how big-budget productions are adapting to global instability. Similar disruptions were recently seen with the schedules of Jr. NTR’s Dragon and Allu Arjun’s Raaka, both of which also had to rework their international filming plans.
Varanasi is an ambitious adventure thriller directed by SS Rajamouli. It features Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in leading roles. The movie is being shot as a globetrotting epic with high-octane action sequences. Previous schedules have been completed in diverse locations like the African jungles of Kenya and the snowy landscapes of Georgia. Some reports even suggest it is the first Indian film to shoot in Antarctica, although this schedule has been kept on hold, once again, due to the ongoing international conflicts.
The film is described as a time-traveling adventure rooted in Indian mythology. Large-scale sets of the city of Kashi have also been constructed in Hyderabad to maintain authenticity. Varanasi, with music by MM Keeravani, is on track to be released in theatres on April 7, 2027.
Also Read: 8 Photos That Prove SS Rajamouli’s Film Varanasi Would Be a Visual Feast
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