SSMB29 Update: Rajamouli’s “Varanasi” Locked for 2027
The most anticipated project in Indian cinema, tentatively known as SSMB29, has finally secured its theatrical window. Directed by the visionary SS Rajamouli and starring Superstar Mahesh Babu, the film—officially titled Varanasi—is scheduled to hit global screens on March 25, 2027. The project is being mounted as a “globetrotting jungle adventure” with a record-breaking budget of nearly Rs 1,300 crore. Priyanka Chopra Jonas has been officially cast as the female lead, Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran will play the ruthless antagonist, Kumbha.
Following the blockbuster success of The Raja Saab, which collected over Rs 200 crore, Rebel Star Prabhas is entering a high-octane production phase. Starting February 2026, the actor will simultaneously shoot for Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Spirit and the sequel to the sci-fi epic Kalki 2898 AD. A new schedule for Spirit is set to begin on January 31 in Mussoorie. Additionally, his period action drama Fauzi, directed by Hanu Raghavapudi, has officially locked a Dussehra 2026 release, featuring Prabhas as a soldier in the 1940s.
In a relief to fans, producer Sudhakar Mikkilineni confirmed today that the sequel to Jr NTR’s Devara is very much on track. Addressing rumors that the project was shelved, the makers announced that Devara: Part 2 will begin filming in May 2026. Jr NTR is currently occupied with Prashanth Neel’s Dragon, which is expected to release later this year. Meanwhile, the box office remains dominated by Pushpa 2: The Rule, which has crossed a staggering Rs 1,700 crore globally, continuing its record-breaking run well into the new year.
The OTT space is also buzzing this weekend with several major Telugu releases. High-profile titles like Champion (Netflix), Constable (ETV Win), and Patang (Sun NXT) are set to premiere between January 29 and 30. Furthermore, the single-cut remastered version of Baahubali: The Epic has surprised trade analysts by collecting nearly Rs 40 crore in its re-release weekend, proving the enduring legacy of Rajamouli’s franchise.
