When SS Rajamouli unveiled the first glimpse of his next film Varanasi in November 2025, it wasn’t just a title reveal but a full-scale event that instantly raised curiosity! With the film’s release date now locked for April 2027, interviews with the filmmaker and cast have started revealing what’s brewing behind the scenes has left audiences stunned.
SS Rajamouli Responds to James Cameron ‘Avatar’ Comparisons
As soon as visuals and early details of Varanasi surfaced, comparisons with James Cameron’s Avatar began doing the rounds online and n a recent interview with Screen Rant Plus SS Rajamouli was asked how he felt about being compared to the Hollywood legend not just creatively but also in terms of scale and ambition.
His response was calm and grounded, as he calls himself a student of filmmaking master James Cameron, “I feel very humbled and there is no way that I can compare myself with legendary, great Jim. There’s no way I can compare. He’s like a master and I’m a student. That’s what I can tell.” The statement quickly won praise for its humility, especially since both filmmakers are known to share mutual respect off-screen.
Reveals Initial Doubt In Casting Priyanka Chopra
In the same interview, SS Rajamouli opened up about casting Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini, a role said to be layered and demanding. He admitted there was a moment of uncertainty saying, “I had a little doubt whether she’s changed her approach according to the Western audience and if she’ll be ready to move back to her Indian base, but on the first day on set, she was a fish into water”. The filmmaker said that doubt vanished almost immediately once they started filming.
One of the most striking details from the interview was about the film’s IMAX vision. The director spoke about India’s limited number of large-format screens and how the team chose to tackle it head-on.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have enough big screens in India. We had this audacious thought that if you don’t have one, let’s build one. We literally built that 100 x 130-feet screen,” he shared.
The much ambitious and anticipated film ‘Varanasi’ is set for the release on April 7, 2027.
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