The much-anticipated pan-Indian film starring superstar Mahesh Babu and directed by ace filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has been creating massive buzz since its launch. After the title “Varanasi” was officially announced at a grand event, an unexpected controversy emerged surrounding the rights to the title. According to latest reports, the dispute is now close to being resolved. Soon after Rajamouli’s team announced the title, a production house claimed that the title had already been registered by them.
Rama Brahma Hanuma Creations filed an official complaint stating the title “Varanasi” legally belonged to their banner. Furthermore, the company’s director C.H. Subbareddy had reportedly already announced a film under the same title. Fearing legal complications, Rajamouli’s team decided to reconsider the title for the Telugu version. Sources indicate that the title issue exists only in Telugu, prompting the makers to make a slight alteration exclusively for the Telugu release. The speculated solution is to rename it as “Rajamouli Varanasi” in Telugu, while retaining the original title “Varanasi” in Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and other languages.
The film is described as an adventurous drama built around a globe-trotter plus time-travel concept, unfolding across different eras and worlds. At the recent Globe Trotter event in Hyderabad, the makers released Mahesh Babu’s new look, the title and the teaser — all of which received massive appreciation from fans. Mahesh’s transformation has become a major highlight, amplifying expectations for the project.
Actress Priyanka Chopra will play the female lead, portraying a character named Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist “Kumbha.” With such a massive combination, expectations from the film are sky-high. The team is planning a grand summer 2027 release, and industry reports suggest that Rajamouli is fast-tracking the production. Although the title controversy caused temporary confusion, the team is said to have handled the situation smartly. Fans believe the powerful title and the Mahesh-Rajamouli combo will make the film a record-breaking pan-India blockbuster.