SS Rajamouli on Varanasi runtime, sequel: 'Forget 3 hours, audiences won't even watch it for 3 minutes if they aren't...'

Varanasi movie: SS Rajamouli reveals the runtime and whether there will be a sequel to the Mahesh Babu-starrer, which is set to release in theatres worldwide in April 2027.

SS Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu in Varanasi movie

SS Rajamouli is a master storyteller, who earned global fame with his epic Baahubali films, that was further elevated by the Oscar-winning RRR. The Telugu filmmaker is now busy with his upcoming movie Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Recently, Rajamouli revealed the Varanasi runtime, and spoke about whether the Mahesh Babu-starrer will get a sequel.

What is the Varanasi movie runtime

During a recent interview with Screen Rant Plus, Varanasi director Rajamouli confirmed that his upcoming Telugu film would have a runtime of around 3 hours. He also spoke about making 3-hour long films in a time when the audiences’ attention span has been on the decline.

“See, if the audiences are not invested in the characters or the world, forget 3 hours.. they won't even watch it for 3 minutes," pointing out that they have other options such as YouTube videos. “I don't think runtime is the issue, but pulling them into the world. If you are able to do that as a director, I don't think runtime is a major issue,” pointed out the director, whose last film RRR was over 3 hours long.

Will Varanasi movie get a sequel

Rajamouli said that the team considered releasing Varanasi as a two-part movie for a brief time, but soon decided against it. Varanasi is just one film with no sequel plans, the ace filmmaker has confirmed to Screen Rant.

Rajamouli had previously released Prabhas-starrer Baahubali as a two-part movie with both part and one two becoming blockbuster successes. Recently, on the 10th anniversary of Baahubali: The Beginning, the films were released as a single epic movie in theatres. Baahubali: The Epic, with the best of both films is now streaming on Netflix.

What is the mythological connection of Varanasi

Varanasi, which revolves around Mahesh Babu’s lead character of Rudra, is touted to be a globe-trotting adventure, which is rooted in Indian mythology. Explaining about the mythological connection to his film, Rajamouli said that these stories are like 'blood flowing in our veins.' Refusing to term them as yesteryear tales, Rajamouli said that these stories that might have happened or been written thousands of years ago are constantly within us.

“So it is not difficult for me to blend those elements. The difficult part is whether we live up to the expectation the audience have when we deal with this epic is challenging for me,” he added.

Also read: Varanasi: Prithviraj Sukumaran spills beans on his Kumbha role, terms him a very ‘dangerous man who is…’

Varanasi movie FAQs

Q. Has the Varanasi movie been released?

A. The Varanasi movie has not been released. The Mahesh Babu-Rajamouli film will release in theatres in April 2027.

Q. Who is playing the female lead in Mahesh Babu's next?

A. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays the female lead in the film.

Q. Who are the actors in the Varanasi movie?

A. SS Rajamouli's film Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles

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