Two-Part Strategy: After Dhurandhar’s Success, Rajamouli’s Varanasi Might Be Split.
Following the record-breaking box office run of Aditya Dhar’s Dhurandhar, the Indian film industry is witnessing a seismic shift in storytelling. New reports suggest that legendary filmmaker SS Rajamouli is now considering splitting his upcoming mega-budget film, Varanasi, into two parts.
The "Dhurandhar" Influence
Industry insiders claim that the massive success of Dhurandhar (which recently crossed the ₹2,000 crore mark) has proven that audiences are hungry for long-form, multi-part cinematic experiences.
"A three-hour runtime isn't enough to do justice to the scale of Varanasi," a source revealed. "Taking a leaf out of the Dhurandhar playbook allows Rajamouli the freedom to expand the lore without rushing the clock."
A Journey Through Time: 7200 BC to 2027
Adding fuel to the fire, lead actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas recently shared mind-bending details about the film's plot. Unlike traditional time-travel movies, Varanasi is described as an "era-spanning saga."
Timeline: The film spans from 7200 BC (the ancient Vedic era) all the way to 2027.
The Vision: Priyanka clarified, "It’s not like Back to the Future with a machine; it’s about traveling through worlds and realms that our characters inhabit over millennia."
The Scale: Starring Mahesh Babu as a contemporary hero with ancient roots and Prithviraj Sukumaran in a pivotal role, the film is being shot on massive sets in Hyderabad that replicate the eternal city of Varanasi.