SS Rajamouli Says ‘Varanasi’ Is His Most Ambitious Film Ever: ‘I Was Never Fully Satisfied With How These Epics Were Presented on Screen’

SS Rajamouli has described “Varanasi” as his most ambitious film to date, explaining that his dissatisfaction with how Indian epics have been presented on screen has shaped his approach to the upcoming project. The filmmaker said he wants to bring a much larger scale and greater emotional depth to the material while exploring an episode from the " Ramayana."

Speaking on the Empire Film Podcast, Rajamouli reflected on his longstanding desire to see Indian epics brought to life on screen with greater grandeur. “While there have been some great moments that I truly loved, I was never fully satisfied with how these epics were presented on screen. I always felt that the scale needed to be much bigger and grander, and that there was so much more that could be explored and brought to life on screen,” he said.

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Rajamouli further added, “With Varanasi, I now have the opportunity to explore an episode from the “Ramayana.” I have to deliver not just grandeur and a much bigger scale, but also larger-than-life emotions for the characters.”

The filmmaker added that his years of feeling dissatisfied with previous screen adaptations of these epics have given him a sense of responsibility towards the material. “I keep reminding myself that, after all these years of feeling unsatisfied with how these epics have been presented, I now have the responsibility to show what I believe they truly deserve. That is the challenge I have set for myself, and that is why Varanasi is my most ambitious film ever,” he said.

However, Rajamouli clarified that the “Ramayana” episode is only one part of the film, with the larger narrative taking the project beyond its mythological elements. “The Ramayana episode is only one part of the film. There is so much more to Varanasi beyond that, which takes the ambition of this project to an entirely different level. The scale of what we are attempting is truly massive,” he said.

The director also revealed that he has wanted to make an adventure film for a long time, and “Varanasi” has finally given him the opportunity to pursue that ambition. “I have wanted to make an adventure film for a very long time, and Varanasi has given me that opportunity,” he added.

“Varanasi” stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film marks Rajamouli’s next feature after “RRR,” which won international acclaim and an Oscar for its song “Naatu Naatu.”