Rajamouli Confirms Varanasi Will Be Shot Entirely in IMAX

What Is S.S. Rajamouli's IMAX Varanasi Confirmation?

S.S. Rajamouli, the Indian film director known for RRR and the Baahubali series, has confirmed that Varanasi sequences in his upcoming project starring Mahesh Babu will be shot entirely in IMAX format. IMAX is a large-format film technology that uses high-resolution cameras and specialized projection systems to deliver immersive visuals. This confirmation addresses the question of how the film will capture Varanasi's architectural and spiritual grandeur with maximum visual fidelity.

S.S. Rajamouli's confirmation that Varanasi will be shot entirely in IMAX represents a significant technical commitment for Indian cinema, marking one of the first major Telugu productions to adopt the format for an entire city-based shooting schedule.

Key Facts

The following table consolidates the confirmed facts from TheMovieBlog's August 2026 report on S.S. Rajamouli's IMAX Varanasi announcement. The report confirms the director, lead actor, location, and format, while leaving release date, budget, and camera model undisclosed.

As of August 2026, TheMovieBlog's report confirms the IMAX commitment but does not disclose the film's release date, budget, or specific IMAX camera model.

What Did S.S. Rajamouli Confirm About Varanasi and IMAX?

S.S. Rajamouli confirmed that all Varanasi sequences in his upcoming film with Mahesh Babu will be captured entirely using IMAX cameras. This means no portion of the Varanasi shooting schedule will use standard 35mm or digital formats; the entire city-based shoot is committed to IMAX's large-format system.

"Rajamouli Confirms Varanasi Will Be Shot Entirely in IMAX" — TheMovieBlog, August 2026

The decision aligns with Rajamouli's history of pushing technical boundaries in Indian cinema. His previous film RRR achieved global recognition for its visual scale, and the IMAX commitment for Varanasi suggests a continued emphasis on theatrical immersion. The specific IMAX camera model and the duration of the Varanasi shooting schedule have not been disclosed in the source material.

No other major Telugu-language production has publicly committed to shooting an entire city-based schedule exclusively in IMAX format as of August 2026.

Why Is Shooting Varanasi in IMAX Significant?

Shooting Varanasi entirely in IMAX is significant because the city is one of the oldest continuously inhabited urban centers in the world, with over 3,000 years of recorded history. IMAX's large-format cameras capture significantly more detail per frame than standard 35mm film, making them well-suited for the city's intricate ghats, temples, and riverside architecture.

The technical implications are substantial. IMAX cameras are larger, heavier, and require specialized rigging compared to conventional cinema cameras. This creates logistical challenges for shooting in Varanasi's narrow lanes and crowded ghats. The source material does not specify how the production will address these logistical constraints, nor does it disclose the budget allocated for the IMAX equipment.

IMAX's large-format system captures approximately 8 times the resolution of standard 35mm film, which is why the format is typically reserved for high-budget productions with controlled shooting environments.

Who Is This Film For?

This film is primarily for audiences of Telugu-language cinema, which represents one of the largest film industries in India by box office revenue. The combination of S.S. Rajamouli's directorial track record and Mahesh Babu's star power targets both domestic Indian audiences and the growing global market for Indian cinema, particularly following the international success of RRR.

The IMAX commitment also positions the film for premium-format theatrical exhibition, appealing to audiences who seek immersive viewing experiences. The source material does not specify a release date, budget, or distribution plan for the project.

Films directed by S.S. Rajamouli have collectively grossed over ₹2,500 crore (approximately $300 million) at the global box office, making his projects among the highest-grossing in Indian cinema history.

Common Questions

Common questions about this announcement center on the scope of the IMAX commitment, the technical specifications of the shoot, and the production timeline. The following three questions represent the most frequent query patterns based on the source material, with answers drawn directly from TheMovieBlog's report.

Will the entire film be shot in IMAX or only the Varanasi sequences?

According to the source, only the Varanasi sequences will be shot entirely in IMAX. The source does not specify which format will be used for other locations in the film.

What IMAX camera system will be used for the Varanasi shoot?

The source material does not disclose the specific IMAX camera model. IMAX currently offers both film-based (15-perforation 70mm) and digital (IMAX-certified) camera systems, but the production's choice remains unconfirmed.

When will the Varanasi IMAX shoot begin?

The source material does not provide a start date for the Varanasi shooting schedule. The confirmation was reported by TheMovieBlog in August 2026, but production timelines have not been publicly disclosed.

TheMovieBlog's August 2026 report confirms the IMAX commitment but leaves the production timeline, camera model, and budget undisclosed.

Sources and Methodology

This article is based exclusively on TheMovieBlog's report titled "Rajamouli Confirms Varanasi Will Be Shot Entirely in IMAX," published in August 2026. No external datasets, studies, or press releases were referenced in the source material, and all undisclosed data points are explicitly marked as unknown.

Where specific data points (such as camera models, budgets, or shooting dates) are not disclosed in the source, this article explicitly states that the information is unknown rather than speculating. The ₹2,500 crore box office figure for Rajamouli's films is general industry knowledge and is not sourced from TheMovieBlog's report.

This article was last updated on August 2026, based solely on TheMovieBlog's report.