The magnum opus Varanasi stands as one of the most anticipated films in Indian cinema history. Following the mixed reception to the Ramayana teaser, audiences have once again hailed S.S. Rajamouli for his uncompromising commitment to detail. What he is currently creating with Mahesh Babu in the lead is nothing short of a global sensation.

With exactly 365 days remaining until its April 7, 2027 release, the team – including Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran – is putting in immense effort to realize this vision. Notably, Rajamouli is designing Varanasi specifically for the 1.43:1 IMAX format, aiming to deliver a visual experience on a bigger canvas than ever before. He remains a firm believer that a great story deserves a world-class viewing experience.

However, a significant concern looms for his core regional audience. Despite the film being shot and mastered for IMAX, there is currently not a single IMAX screen in the Telugu states. While Hyderabad offers other premium formats, Varanasi is being crafted for a specific large-scale experience that is currently missing across both Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

With one year left, the absence of any official announcements regarding new IMAX installations is disappointing for the very fans who helped shape Rajamouli’s journey. If no immediate steps are taken to bring at least one IMAX-certified screen to the region, the local audience will be deprived of watching the film in its native, intended format.

The question remains: with the clock ticking toward the Ugadi 2027 release, are there any concrete plans to bring the IMAX experience to the Telugu states before Varanasi arrives?