Tollywood
SS Rajamouli's Dharna for IMAX: How Mahesh Babu's Varanasi Could Finally Bring True 1.43:1 Screens to India
In the world of global cinema, S.S. Rajamouli is no longer just a filmmaker; he is a visionary architect of spectacle. Following the historic global success of RRR, Rajamouli is now setting his sights on a new frontier—one that isn't just about the story on screen, but the screen itself.His upcoming globe-trotting adventure, officially titled Varanasi (formerly #SSMB29), starring Superstar Mahesh Babu, is being positioned as a cultural and technological inflection point for India. During a high-profile interaction, Rajamouli issued a playful yet pointed ultimatum to the tech giants in Los Angeles, sparking a viral conversation about India's theatrical infrastructure. The filmmaker's frustration centers on the lack of True IMAX screens in India—specifically those capable of the immersive 1.43:1 aspect ratio. To emphasize his point, Rajamouli shared a sentiment that has now become the rallying cry for Indian cinephiles: In India, we call something like Dharna that says like if you are not happy with someone we pitch tents outside their office and say we demand some theatre. So I am going to pitch tent outside IMAX in LA and demand them... we need big screens here in India. This isn't just a joke; it is a signal of intent from a director who refuses to let his 1,300-crore vision be compressed into standard formats. The irony of the current situation is hard to ignore. India is already IMAX's 7th largest market, with a staggering footprint growth of nearly 60% since 2020. The audience's appetite for premium large-format experiences is undeniable, yet the infrastructure lags behind the ambition. While most Indian IMAX screens are digital versions on smaller 1.90:1 displays, Rajamouli's Varanasi is being filmed specifically for the towering 1.43:1 format. For a story that spans multiple worlds—from the spiritual ghats of Varanasi to the frozen wastes of Antarctica and even the mythic Treta Yuga—the director insists that only the vertical scale of a True IMAX can do justice to the magnificent visuals. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}) Perhaps the most stinging irony lies in Hyderabad, the heart of Telugu cinema. Despite producing the country's biggest blockbusters and housing a massive fan base, the city currently lacks a confirmed, top-tier IMAX screen. This gap between the industry's creative ambition and its technical infrastructure is precisely what Varanasi hopes to bridge. With a star-studded cast including Mahesh Babu as the protagonist Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha, the film is designed for scale, myth, and immersion. Rajamouli has even noted that for the film's teaser launch, they audaciously built a custom 100-foot by 130-foot screen just to show the footage as intended. The ball is now firmly in the court of Indian exhibitors. IMAX has already responded to Rajamouli's Dharna comment with a clear we're ready, signaling that they are open for business and eager to expand.If Varanasi receives the IMAX treatment it deserves by its April 7, 2027 release, it won't just elevate one film; it will reset the expectations for how Indian blockbusters are experienced. It could finally normalize IMAX-first filmmaking in India, turning it from a premium afterthought into a standard for excellence. As Rajamouli prepares to take his fight to LA, the message is clear: Indian cinema has the vision—it's time for the theaters to provide the canvas.
