Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli is not just crafting movies; he is defining the future of Indian cinematic spectacle. The recent unveiling of the trailer for his colossal upcoming project, Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, confirmed the film’s massive scope. Set for a 2027 release, Varanasi promises a world-spanning adventure across continents and centuries.

However, amidst the excitement surrounding the film’s mythological and technological ambition, Rajamouli himself was prompted to address a significant infrastructure gap right in the heart of Telugu cinema: the lack of premium IMAX screens in Hyderabad capable of fully showcasing his vision.

Introducing the 1.43:1 Spectacle

At the grand Globe Trotter event in Hyderabad, where the star-studded cast including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran was present, Rajamouli made a declaration that thrilled cinephiles: Varanasi will be shot entirely in the 1.43:1 IMAX format.

This aspect ratio is typically reserved for the highest echelon of global blockbusters and provides an unparalleled immersive viewing experience, utilizing the entire height of the largest IMAX screens. Rajamouli excitedly announced, "We are introducing a new technology to Telugu cinema. It will be a premium large-scale format filmed for IMAX." This commitment to maximizing the film’s visual fidelity indicates that Varanasi is not just aiming for national success, but global domination on the largest possible canvas.

The Home Ground Hurdle: No IMAX in Hyderabad

The irony of this massive technological announcement was quickly pointed out by vigilant social media users. While the event took place in Hyderabad, a major hub of film production and consumption, the city currently lacks a theater equipped with a 1.43:1 IMAX screen—the exact format Rajamouli is shooting in. Standard IMAX screens exist in major metros like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru, but the true 1.43:1 premium experience remains rare across India.

A conversation on X (formerly Twitter) reflecting this local hurdle caught the director's attention. An X user asked, “Theres no IMAX in Hyderabad where the actual event took place where this news was confirmed. Can we expect an IMAX in Hyderabad by 2027?”

Rajamouli’s response was immediate and filled with hope: "I really hope that by the time #Varanasi releases or even before, we’ll at least have a 1.43 IMAX screen in India and an IMAX in my land Hyderabad."

A Director’s Plea for Cinematic Infrastructure

Rajamouli’s comment acts as a powerful, albeit subtle, plea to exhibitors and technology providers. As Indian cinema increasingly produces global-standard spectacles, the infrastructure must keep pace. The director’s wish for a dedicated 1.43:1 IMAX screen in Hyderabad by 2027 underscores his belief that the audience in his home state deserves to experience the film exactly as it was intended—massive, immersive, and visually perfect.

The film itself, with its depiction of an asteroid crashing to Earth and fragments leading to mythological connections across Varanasi, Antarctica, and Africa, promises visuals that necessitate the largest possible screen. Mahesh Babu holding a trishul (trident) while riding a bull against the backdrop of Varanasi temples demands a display that can capture every minute detail.

Rajamouli's success has always been driven by setting new benchmarks. Now, he is not just setting a benchmark for filmmaking; he is setting one for exhibition technology, hoping his local industry can catch up before the spectacle is unleashed.
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