Khaberni - Priyanka Chopra, the global star, is gearing up to mark a historic return to Indian cinema screens after a seven-year absence, through the action and adventure epic "Varanasi", which is directed by S.S. Rajamouli.
The film comes with a hefty budget of 1,400 crore Indian rupees (about 150 million dollars), making it the most expensive Indian film production ever. It is also the first Indian film to be shot in IMAX 1.43:1 format, representing an unprecedented technological shift in Bollywood.
In statements to "Variety" magazine, Priyanka described the film as "unlike anything she has done before", noting that it takes the audience on a journey from Antarctica to fantasy worlds that only the creative director Rajamouli can design, in her words.
The star also revealed a "warning" she gave to the director about the necessity of including complex dance performances, confirming that she has already finished shooting one of the songs, which she described as having "amazing and precise" dance choreography.
Record-breaking figures and major deals
Notably, even before its release in theaters, the film has already begun breaking records:
- Broadcasting rights: "Netflix" succeeded in securing digital broadcasting rights with a record deal ranging between 650 to 700 crore rupees.
- Star salaries: The star Mahesh Babu signed an exclusive contract for three years at 50 crore rupees annually, bringing his total fee to 150 crore, the highest in his career.
- Rajamouli's model: As usual, director S.S. Rajamouli did not receive a fixed salary; instead, he adopted a profit-sharing model, earning up to 50% after recovering costs.
The film is scripted by Rajamouli in collaboration with Vijayendra Prasad and S.S. Kanchi, produced by "Sri Durga Arts" and "Showing Business", and stars alongside Priyanka Chopra and Mahesh Babu, the star "Prithviraj Sukumaran" as the main antagonist (the villain).
"Varanasi" is scheduled to be released in worldwide theaters on April 7, 2027, making it the most prominent Indian cinematic event that year.
