Director SS Rajamouli’s ambitious adventure film ‘Varanasi’ is back amid a viral rumor related to its huge budget of Rs 1.4 billion.The film, which is one of the most expensive films made in India, stars Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in leading roles, it is reported to have hit its production cost hurdle according to industry reports.
‘Varanasi’ budget
While the makers have not officially commented on the film’s budget, Always Bollywood and other entertainment news publications have said that current estimates circulating in the industry suggest that the production cost of the project could be in the range of 1.2 billion to 1.4 billion euros.
OTT hurdle for ‘Varanasi’
According to reports, the original financial plan for the film was developed at a time when the streaming market was booming. At the time, OTT platforms were selling between €500 million and €600 million for the digital rights to a marquee title of this scale. However, industry observers now note that the streaming landscape has changed significantly in recent years. Trade sources suggest that major OTT platforms have become increasingly “selective” with acquisitions and that current valuations for high-profile films may be closer to €150 million to €200 million. This seems to have created new challenges for mega-budget productions.As a result, there is speculation that officials are looking at ways to keep costs from rising further. According to the report, production schedules are being shifted in favor of more cost-effective alternatives while maintaining the film’s large-scale visual appeal.
SS Rajamouli wants to opt for profit sharing?
Reports have also said that Rajamouli may be willing to take a pay cut if necessary. However, trade analysts point out that the filmmaker’s compensation structure is believed to be tied to profit-sharing arrangements rather than a hefty upfront fee.It should be noted that these reports are currently unverified.Currently in production, ‘Varanasi’ will hit the big screens in April 2027.
