Prithviraj's Varanasi is far bigger than RRR, says Rajamouli

SS Rajamouli's Varanasi, the film in which Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha, is far bigger than RRR, the director has said. Speaking at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival (Mostra) in Brazil, Rajamouli said the film is five to six times larger in scale than RRR, and was shot faster. Varanasi releases on April 7, 2027.

Rajamouli confirmed the date himself on X on January 30, 2026: "April 7th, 2027… #VARANASI."

Film: Varanasi

Director: SS Rajamouli

Release: April 7, 2027 (official)

Cast: Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha

Music: MM Keeravaani

Banners: Sri Durga Arts, Showing Business

Shoot: 275 days, against 315 for RRR (Rajamouli, as reported)

Bigger, and quicker

In an interview with Screen International, Rajamouli put numbers on the jump. "We shot RRR in 315 days and Varanasi, despite being bigger, in 275 days, saving 40 days," he said.

For context, Screen reported that RRR was made on a budget of $72m and grossed over $166m worldwide. Those figures are the publication's, not official ones.

Screen also reported that Rajamouli co-wrote Varanasi with his father, V. Vijayendra Prasad, and S.S. Kanchi. We could not find an official credit post for the writers.

Why Brazil matters

According to Screen, the São Paulo trip was Rajamouli's first visit to Brazil. He taught a class for festival audiences and received an honorary Leon Cakoff award. Mostra lists him among the honourees of its 50th edition on its official page. The event was on October 19.

The setting gave his plans an edge. RRR released theatrically in more than 40 countries but went straight to streaming in Brazil, Screen reported. Rajamouli said he was planning a big worldwide theatrical release for Varanasi. "That is how I want the world to watch it," he told Screen.

A short timeline

November 7, 2025: Rajamouli introduced Kumbha on X as "this sinister, ruthless, powerful antagonist". Prithviraj posted "Presenting KUMBHA.." the same day.

November 16, 2025: Prithviraj's post set out the three lead characters: Rudhra, Mandakini and Kumbha.

January 30, 2026: Rajamouli announced April 7, 2027 as the release date. Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra also shared the poster, according to reports.

October 19, 2026: Rajamouli was honoured at Mostra in São Paulo.

April 7, 2027: Varanasi opens in theatres.

Kumbha in Prithviraj's run

For Malayalam viewers, Kumbha comes after a busy few years for Prithviraj. He played Vardharaja Mannar opposite Prabhas in the Telugu film Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire in 2023, and the villain in the Hindi film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan in 2024. In 2025 he directed L2: Empuraan.

Varanasi is his first film with Rajamouli, and Kumbha is officially the film's antagonist. Prithviraj has also shared posts pitting the two leads against each other, under the line "RUDRA vs KUMBHA".

He is not leaving Malayalam behind. In April, he posted "VARANASI ——> KHALIFA / KUMBHA ——> AAMIR ALI", marking a move from Kumbha to his role in the Malayalam film Khalifa.

Also read: Rajamouli wishes Prithviraj as Kumbha; Varanasi shares new set stills