Ramayana’s First Look Unveiled in Los Angeles, Not India! The first visuals of Ranbir Kapoor’s upcoming film Ramayana were revealed at a private test screening in Los Angeles, marking a significant departure from traditional release strategies. The event, described as a “by-invitation-only” gathering, was attended by a select group of audience members aged 16 to 60. The decision to unveil the film’s first look abroad rather than in India, where the story is rooted, was a calculated move to gauge global audience reactions and refine the film’s narrative before its official debut in the country. The visuals will be released in India on April 2, following a successful screening in the United States. The film, directed by Nitish Tiwari and produced by Namit Malhotra, represents a massive production with a budget exceeding ₹2000 crores. Industry insiders emphasize that the project’s financial viability hinges on global markets, as domestic revenue alone may not suffice. Film analyst Joginder Tuteja highlighted that the film needs at least 50% of its revenue from international audiences in regions like the U.S., Australia, the UK, Europe, and Southeast Asia. “This is a marketing move to create buzz among distributors, movie chains, and Hollywood influencers,” Tuteja explained. “You’ll see more of these campaigns in the future.” Test screenings in Los Angeles are a common practice for high-stakes projects, particularly those with complex visual effects, such as Ramayana. These screenings allow filmmakers to assess audience engagement, refine the story, and evaluate the film’s appeal across diverse demographics. The practice, previously adopted by studios like DC and Marvel, is now gaining traction among Indian filmmakers, including SS Rajamouli.#ss_rajamouli #ranbir_kapoor #namit_malhotra #nitish_tiwari #joginder_tuteja
Ram Charan Birthday Special: From Bollywood Debut in Amitabh Bachchan Remake to Oscar Stage Ram Charan, the South Indian actor who once struggled to gain traction in Bollywood, has carved a unique path in the entertainment industry. Born on March 27, 1985, in Chennai, he is the son of the iconic Telugu actor Chiranjeevi. Despite his family’s deep roots in cinema, Ram Charan chose not to rely on his father’s fame. Instead, he pursued formal training at the Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting School in Mumbai, a prestigious institution known for nurturing talent. This decision laid the foundation for his eventual success. His acting career began in 2007 with the film Chirutha, where he earned the Best Male Debut award. However, it was his 2009 role in Magadheera, directed by SS Rajamouli, that marked a turning point. The film, starring alongside Kajal Aggarwal, became a massive hit in Telugu cinema and established Ram Charan as a rising star. Over the next few years, he delivered a string of successful films, including Orange, Racha, Naayak, and Yevadu, each contributing to his growing reputation. The breakthrough came with the 2022 release of RRR, a massive production directed by SS Rajamouli. Starring alongside Junior NTR, the film became a global phenomenon, grossing over Rs 1,300 crore at the box office. Its soundtrack, Naatu Naatu, made history by winning an Oscar Award, catapulting Ram Charan into international stardom. The film’s production budget of Rs 550 crore further underscored its scale and commercial success. Despite his rise, Ram Charan’s Bollywood journey was not without challenges. In 2013, he starred in a remake of Amitabh Bachchan’s Zanjeer, alongside Priyanka Chopra and Sanjay Dutt. However, the film flopped at the box office, failing to recover its production costs.#ram_charan #ss_rajamouli #junior_ntr #chiranjeevi #kajal_aggarwal
SS Rajamouli brings cutting-edge motion capture to Mahesh Babu's 'Varanasi'; An action sequence shot with advanced tech Director SS Rajamouli is incorporating cutting-edge motion capture technology into his upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra. The project, being developed at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad, features a significant 25-minute action sequence filmed using this advanced method. This innovation marks a major leap in visual effects production within Indian cinema, showcasing Rajamouli’s commitment to technical excellence. The film’s production team has utilized the A&M Motion Capture Lab at Annapurna Studios, a facility developed in collaboration with Mihira Visual Labs and global partner Animatrik. This state-of-the-art setup offers 360-degree pre-visualization, real-time virtual production, and digital performance capture. The team emphasized the challenges of importing cameras, installing equipment, and training local staff within a tight timeline, highlighting the effort required to establish this high-end system for the project. A key highlight of Varanasi is the 25-minute action sequence, which was created using motion capture technology. By recording actors’ performances in a controlled environment, the team achieved greater precision and detail in recreating complex scenes. One team member noted that the sequence is “a thrilling scene,” blending real action with digital effects to produce large-scale visuals. Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran are reportedly part of this sequence, adding to its excitement. Rajamouli’s use of this technology represents a significant milestone for Indian cinema. Previously, filmmakers relied on foreign studios for such work, but Varanasi demonstrates that advanced production can now be achieved domestically.#priyanka_chopra #ss_rajamouli #mahesh_babu #annapurna_studios #a_m_motion_capture_lab
SS Rajamouli Creates Miniature Varanasi City for New Film The makers of S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi have unveiled a series of images showcasing the intricate miniature recreation of the city, which serves as the film’s primary setting. The project, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, features detailed replicas of Varanasi’s iconic ghats, temples, and bustling lanes, capturing the city’s cultural and spiritual essence. The visuals, shared on social media, highlight the effort to authentically represent the historic city, with one image showing a cameraman filming the set’s miniature temples and streets. Directed by Rajamouli, the film is set to premiere on April 7, 2027. The teaser was first unveiled at a grand event in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, on November 15 last year, where the title was officially announced. Originally titled Globe Trotter, the film’s name was changed to reflect its focus on the city of Varanasi. The story follows Mahesh Babu’s character, Rudhra, described as a globetrotter and timetrotter, and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character, Kumbh, as the film explores themes of time and geography. The production began in April 2025, with the film spanning multiple locations, including Kenya, Andhra Pradesh’s Borra Caves, and Antarctica. This ambitious project marks Rajamouli’s first collaboration with Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Priyanka’s return to Indian cinema after a hiatus since The Sky is Pink (2019) adds significance to the film, which also reunites her with actor Farhan Akhtar. The miniature set’s creation underscores the film’s commitment to visual storytelling, blending historical authenticity with cinematic innovation.#priyanka_chopra #prithviraj_sukumaran #ss_rajamouli #varanasi #mahesh_babu
S.S. Rajamouli's Varanasi: A Global Spectacle in the Making A Rotten Tomatoes intern’s journey across the globe to cover the production of S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming film, Varanasi, offered a front-row seat to the director’s ambitious vision. The trip, spanning over 8,700 miles and 20 hours of travel, culminated in Hyderabad, India, where the “Globetrotter Announcement Event” drew thousands of fans and global viewers. The event, held at Ramoji Film City, was designed like a living city, featuring a massive 100-by-132-foot LED screen and drone cameras capturing the crowd’s enthusiastic chants of “Jai Babu!” for Mahesh Babu, the film’s star. The atmosphere mirrored a cultural phenomenon, with cast members like Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran offering glimpses into the film’s epic scale. The official title, Varanasi, was revealed during the event, signaling Rajamouli’s next major project. The film’s plot remains shrouded in mystery, but details suggest a sweeping narrative spanning thousands of years, from 7200 BCE to 2071. It weaves together global catastrophes, asteroid threats, and a race to save humanity, traveling across continents like Antarctica, Africa, and India. The story blends time travel, mythology, and action, with scenes like a protagonist riding a bull and wielding a trident hinting at its bold, unpredictable nature. Rajamouli’s ambition to push Indian cinema further is evident, following the success of RRR, which reshaped global perceptions of Indian films. Varanasi aims to elevate the medium even more, with Rajamouli emphasizing the goal of taking Indian cinema to an international stage. The film’s production team includes Oscar-winning composer M. M. Keeravani, whose work on RRR highlighted the role of music in Indian storytelling.#prithviraj_sukumaran #priyanka_chopra_jonas #ss_rajamouli #varanasi #ramoji_film_city
Bollywood’s Collar Rising Days Back? For decades, Bollywood has been the dominant force in Indian cinema, setting benchmarks in budget, stardom, and box office success. Its influence extended globally, with Hindi films and actors regarded as the epitome of Indian cinema. However, the rise of South Indian cinema, spearheaded by directors like SS Rajamouli, has shifted this dynamic. Films such as Baahubali 2, KGF 2, RRR, and Pushpa 2 have consistently delivered pan-India blockbusters, resonating strongly with Hindi-speaking audiences. This surge has diminished Bollywood’s global prominence, relegating it to a secondary position in the industry. Bollywood’s decline has been marked by a lack of innovative storytelling and fewer pan-India hits. While films like Jawan and Pathaan managed to break through, the overall success rate of Bollywood films has dropped significantly. For years, it seemed South cinema might completely overshadow Hindi cinema. But in 2025, Bollywood staged a comeback with hits like Chhaava, Saiyaara, and Dhurandhar. These films reignited interest in Hindi cinema and signaled a potential resurgence. The latest contender in this revival is Dhurandhar 2, which is poised to reassert Bollywood’s dominance at the box office. Scheduled for a massive release on March 19, the sequel is expected to set records with its opening weekend performance. Première screenings have already drawn large crowds, and advance ticket sales are showing impressive figures. Trade analysts predict that Dhurandhar 2 could surpass previous box office giants like Dangal and Baahubali 2, potentially becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of all time. Unlike its predecessor, which was released only in Hindi, Dhurandhar 2 is set for a global rollout in multiple languages.#baahubali_2 #ss_rajamouli #kgf_2 #rrr #pushpa_2
