SS Rajamouli on Varanasi and his dream of a borderless Indian cinema fan base like 'K-Pop and Japanese anime'

SS Rajamouli is setting the stage for another cinematic spectacle with Varanasi, slated for release in 2027. With Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles, expectations are naturally sky-high.

Yet, for the celebrated filmmaker, this project represents more than just a theatrical event. Rajamouli is looking at a bigger picture - transforming Indian cinema into a global cultural force.

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“Like K-Pop or Japanese Anime”

In a recent conversation, Rajamouli spoke about nurturing a dedicated international audience for Indian films.

He stated, “I want to have a good amount of fan base for Indian cinema, like how you have for K-Pop or how you have for Japanese anime, that has a strong fan base across the world, not (just) in Korea and Japan, but across the world.”

His ambition goes beyond regional success. He envisions Indian films developing the same loyal, cross-border fandom that fuels Korean pop music and Japanese animation worldwide.

‘Demon Slayer’ and a Changing Market

Rajamouli pointed to the overwhelming Indian reception of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba - The Movie: Infinity Castle as a turning point. The anime feature collected over ₹66 crore in India and emerged as the fifth highest-grossing foreign film of 2025 in the country.

Expressing his excitement, he said, “I was so thrilled when the ‘Demon Slayer’ film released here in India. The film opened to housefulls. We don't have successful animation films here in India, so that's how the world is opening up, that's how I want the world to open up for Indian cinema as well.”

For him, the film’s performance signals a broader shift - audiences are increasingly open to stories from outside their own cultural boundaries.

The ‘RRR’ Experience

Rajamouli’s belief in universal storytelling is rooted in the global journey of RRR. The 2022 epic not only triumphed commercially but also earned widespread international acclaim, expanding the reach of Indian cinema.

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Reflecting on his creative philosophy, the filmmaker observed, “To make a story universal and base it on very sincere emotions, it will just appeal to everyone. That is my belief. But having a belief is one thing; to see it happen is another.”

With Varanasi, Rajamouli now seeks to convert that belief into an even broader global movement.