After months of anticipation, SS Rajamouli has finally lifted the curtain on his next grand project, Varanasi. The movie, titled after India’s sacred city, brings together an impressive cast led by Mahesh Babu, along with Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles. The expectations surrounding the film are sky-high, and industry experts believe the box office will witness unprecedented numbers when it releases.
Rajamouli–Mahesh Babu Combo Set to Ignite the Box Office
SS Rajamouli has emerged as one of the most powerful filmmakers of modern Indian cinema. His global reputation soared with Baahubali 2, and after RRR’s worldwide triumph, he has become a brand in himself. Naturally, his next film is being viewed as a record-shattering event.
Adding Mahesh Babu to the mix elevates that excitement even further. The superstar commands an enormous fan base in the Telugu states and enjoys strong box office pull in major overseas territories, especially North America. With both forces joining hands, Varanasi is positioned to create history at both domestic and global box offices.
Three Opening Day Milestones Varanasi Hopes to Achieve
Given the hype, scale, and star power, the film is expected to chase three massive benchmarks on its opening day. Here’s a look at what it aims to accomplish:
1. Surpassing Pushpa 2’s Hindi Opening Day Record
Pushpa 2 currently holds the record for the biggest Hindi opening for a South Indian film, with a massive ₹72 crore net. While this benchmark is expected to remain untouched through 2026, Varanasi is likely to target this record in 2027. Matching or surpassing this number won’t be easy, but the Rajamouli–Mahesh Babu combination has the potential to pull it off.
2. Targeting ₹200 Crore Net in India on Day One
At present, Pushpa 2 leads the all-India opening day tally with ₹179.25 crore net. If marketed extensively across regions, Varanasi could aim for the unthinkable — a ₹200 crore net opening in India. With strong waves expected from both Telugu and Hindi circuits, this ambitious milestone may not be out of reach.
3. Aiming for a Mammoth Worldwide Opening
Internationally, Rajamouli films enjoy exceptional anticipation, especially after RRR’s widespread acclaim. With solid contributions expected from regions like UAE–GCC, North America, and other global markets, Varanasi could target a staggering ₹350–400 crore gross worldwide on day one.
