SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, has created huge excitement among fans. Beyond its star-studded cast, the film is making headlines for its massive production budget.
Record-Breaking Budget for Indian Cinema
The film is reportedly made with a staggering budget of Rs 1,400 crore, making it one of the most expensive Indian movies ever produced. The scale of the film is immense, featuring grand sets, high-end visual effects, and large-scale action sequences. Industry experts say that the investment reflects Rajamouli’s ambition to create another cinematic spectacle following his earlier blockbusters like RRR and Baahubali.
Despite its huge budget, ‘Varanasi’ is still reportedly half the cost of Priyanka Chopra’s previous web series, Citadel. The first season of Citadel, produced by the Russo Brothers for Prime Video, had an estimated budget of USD 300 million (around Rs 2,500 crore) for just six episodes.
Priyanka Chopra Returns to Indian Cinema
‘Varanasi’ marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian films after several years working in Hollywood and on international projects. While the plot details are being kept secret, the film promises a sweeping cinematic spectacle, including a reportedly 25-minute Ramayana battle sequence. Priyanka has expressed excitement about working with Rajamouli and co-star Mahesh Babu, calling it a privilege to be part of such a large-scale project.
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This film is expected to showcase some of the best action, drama, and visual effects ever seen in Indian cinema. With a combination of veteran actors, a meticulous director, and advanced VFX technology, ‘Varanasi’ is positioned to be a landmark release.
Comparison with Citadel
While ‘Varanasi’ has a huge budget for an Indian production, it is interesting to note that Citadel’s Season 1 cost nearly twice as much. Each episode of Citadel reportedly costs USD 50 million, making it one of the priciest TV shows globally, just slightly behind Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power.
The comparison highlights the difference in budgets between Indian films and international streaming projects. While Citadel focuses on high-cost episodic storytelling, Rajamouli’s film invests in grand cinematic experience, combining star power, scale, and visual spectacle for theaters.
Anticipation and Release
‘Varanasi’ has already been in production for over a year, and fans are eagerly waiting for its release. With Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra leading the cast, and Prithviraj Sukumaran playing a key role, expectations are sky-high. The film’s epic scale, intricate storyline, and battle sequences promise to make it one of 2027’s biggest releases in Indian cinema.
Meanwhile, Priyanka Chopra continues to juggle her international commitments, with Citadel Season 2 also in the works. However, her return to Indian films with ‘Varanasi’ is being seen as a major event, combining star appeal, director expertise, and record-breaking production values.
With such a massive budget and a powerful team, ‘Varanasi’ is shaping up to be a landmark film in Indian cinema, and audiences are excited to witness the spectacle on the big screen.
Author: Purnima s
Purnima | Entertainment Blogger 4+ yrs writing fun blogs on movies, celebs & trends. Pop culture addict serving fresh, binge-worthy content!
