SS Rajamouli’s much-anticipated magnum opus Varanasi is steadily shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Indian films ever made. After extensive shooting schedules across international locations—including the African grasslands in Kenya—the globetrotting adventure is now heading somewhere rarely explored by world cinema: Antarctica.

The exciting development was confirmed by none other than Priyanka Chopra during a social media exchange with her co-star Mahesh Babu, effectively putting an end to weeks of speculation. With this move, Varanasi is set to become the first Indian film to shoot in Antarctica and one of only a handful of films globally to capture the icy continent on camera.

Priyanka Chopra Confirms Antarctica Shoot on Social Media

The confirmation came through a light-hearted yet telling interaction on X (formerly Twitter). Mahesh Babu praised Priyanka Chopra’s performance in her Hollywood action film The Bluff, writing:

“#TheBluff is a well mounted film with engaging action n emotions!!! @priyankachopra is in top form swashbuckling and ticking all the boxes with a packed performance… Sending all my love to the team for the amazing work.”

In response, Priyanka replied:

“Thank you my friend. See you soon in Antarctica.”

With that single sentence, she confirmed that the Varanasi team will soon be braving the harsh sub-zero climate of the South Pole to shoot a crucial segment of the film. While the duration of the Antarctic schedule remains unclear, the cast and crew are expected to face extreme weather conditions during the shoot.

Filming at the Ross Ice Shelf: A First for Indian Cinema

Reports suggest that the shooting will likely take place at the Ross Ice Shelf, one of Antarctica’s most dramatic and visually striking locations. The ice shelf was prominently featured in the film’s teaser trailer, sparking early speculation about an Antarctic schedule.

According to the trailer, Varanasi is a time-travelling, globe-trotting adventure that takes its protagonists beneath the ice shelf in search of an ancient civilization buried under layers of ice. The narrative suggests that this civilization was lost after an asteroid struck the region in 2027 CE.

Blending mythology with science fiction, the Ross Ice Shelf and the hidden civilization are expected to play a pivotal role in the film’s storyline. The Antarctic sequences promise to deliver mind-boggling visuals, especially given Rajamouli’s penchant for large-scale cinematic storytelling.

Thank you my friend 🙏🏽 🏴‍☠️
See you soon in Antarctica. ⭐️ @urstrulyMahesh https://t.co/HpBfRPbMEg— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) March 1, 2026

Why SS Rajamouli Chose IMAX for ‘Varanasi’

Priyanka Chopra revealed during her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that Varanasi is being shot in IMAX format. Director SS Rajamouli had previously stated that one of the primary reasons for choosing IMAX cameras was to capture the breathtaking Antarctic landscapes in all their grandeur.

Shooting in IMAX ensures that audiences experience the icy terrains, massive glaciers, and expansive skies in immersive detail. The film is specifically designed for IMAX theatres, further elevating its global appeal.

The team is reportedly scheduled to depart for Antarctica in the last week of February.

‘Varanasi’ Among the Few Films Shot in Antarctica

Antarctica is one of the least filmed continents in the world due to its extreme climate, logistical challenges, and strict environmental regulations. With its upcoming schedule, Varanasi will become:

• The first Indian film to shoot in Antarctica.

• One of only a handful of films globally to be shot there.

Among the films previously shot in Antarctica are:

• The Thing

• Eight Below

• Encounters at the End of the World

• Antarctica: A Year on Ice

• South of Sanity

• The Odyssey

• Virus

Conflicting reports have cited varying counts—some stating only three feature films have been shot in Antarctica, others suggesting four or five. Regardless of the exact number, the fact remains that Varanasi joins an exceptionally exclusive club.

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Massive Production Budget: ₹1300 Crore Epic

Varanasi is reportedly being made on an enormous budget of approximately ₹1300 crore (over $150 million), making it one of the most expensive Indian films ever produced.

This project also surpasses the budgets of SS Rajamouli’s previous blockbusters:

• Baahubali 2: The Conclusion

• RRR

The film is being produced under the banners Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business. Given its scale, international locations, heavy VFX usage, and IMAX filming format, the massive budget comes as no surprise.

Mythology Meets Science Fiction: Mahesh Babu as Lord Rama

Beyond its sci-fi elements, Varanasi incorporates rich mythological themes. The film reportedly includes a sequence inspired by the Hindu epic Ramayana, with Mahesh Babu portraying the character of Lord Rama.

In an interview with Screen Rant, Mahesh Babu opened up about preparing for the role:

“I’m playing Lord Rama’s character. It required posture. You can’t stand like modern characters. I trained for 6 months to modify my running, walking, and posture style. When I saw the shot, I was really happy. It was all worth it.”

The actor underwent six months of dedicated training to perfect his body language, ensuring his portrayal stayed true to the epic’s traditional depiction of Lord Rama. This blend of mythology and futuristic storytelling is expected to give Varanasi a unique cinematic identity.

A 20-Month Shooting Schedule

During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Priyanka Chopra shared rare insights into the film’s extensive production timeline.

She said:

“I haven't done an Indian movie in almost like six or seven years and this movie is called Varanasi and is directed by SS Rajamouli, who's one of India's most amazingly talented directors and it's going to be an adventure. I'm very excited about it. It will be released on April 7, 2027. We've shot in IMAX format. So it's going to be for IMAX theatres. It's going to be great.”

When asked if filming was still ongoing, she added:

“Yes. Oh my god! We've been filming for 14 months. We are still filming for another six months.”

This confirms that the total production timeline spans nearly 20 months—an extraordinary duration even by global blockbuster standards.

Star-Studded Cast

Apart from Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, Varanasi also features:

• Prithviraj Sukumaran

• R. Madhavan

• Prakash Raj

All are said to be playing pivotal roles in the narrative, further strengthening the film’s pan-Indian and international appeal.

International Locations: From Kenya to Antarctica

Before heading to Antarctica, the team filmed in international locations including Kenya, capturing sweeping African landscapes. These global backdrops reinforce the film’s “time-travelling globe-trotting adventure” identity.

The Antarctic schedule now pushes the scale even further, positioning Varanasi as a truly global cinematic venture.

Release Date: April 7, 2027

Varanasi is officially slated to release on April 7, 2027. The date strategically coincides with major festive occasions including:

• Ugadi

• Gudi Padwa

• Ambedkar Jayanti

• Rama Navami

This creates a long holiday weekend, maximizing box office potential across India.

Why ‘Varanasi’ Is One of the Most Anticipated Indian Films

Several factors contribute to the unprecedented buzz surrounding Varanasi:

• First Indian film to shoot in Antarctica

• Massive ₹1300 crore budget

• Shot in IMAX format

• Mythology and science-fiction fusion

• Mahesh Babu portraying Lord Rama

• Nearly 20-month production schedule

• International filming locations including Kenya and Antarctica

• Release timed with major Indian festivals

With SS Rajamouli at the helm—the visionary director behind Baahubali 2 and RRR—expectations are sky-high.

Final Thoughts

From the scorching African plains to the frozen expanses of Antarctica, Varanasi is redefining the scale of Indian filmmaking. Priyanka Chopra’s subtle yet definitive confirmation has only intensified anticipation.

If the ambitious narrative, IMAX format, mythological depth, and record-breaking budget are anything to go by, Varanasi is not just another big-budget spectacle—it is poised to be a landmark cinematic event when it hits theatres on April 7, 2027.

For fans of epic storytelling, cutting-edge visuals, and larger-than-life performances, the countdown has officially begun.

With inputs from agencies

Image Source: Multiple agencies

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