Varanasi title dispute! Will SS Rajamouli rename Mahesh Babu-Priyanka Chopra's GlobeTrotter film?

On November 15, filmmaker SS Rajamouli unveiled the title and teaser of his much-awaited magnum opus, Varanasi, during an extravagant launch event in Hyderabad. Superstar Mahesh Babu’s striking first look as Rudhra left fans stunned, instantly becoming the talk of social media. But along with the excitement came a wave of conversations- some celebratory, others critical. Already navigating backlash for his comments at the event, Rajamouli now finds himself in the middle of another storm, this time over the film’s title.

Related Story: FIR filed against SS Rajamouli after remarks on Lord Hanuman at Varanasi event

Who Owns the Name ‘Varanasi’?

The film, featuring Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, has reportedly run into a naming dispute.

According to media reports, a production house, Rama Bramha Hanuma Creations- headed by CH Subba Reddy- has claimed legal rights to the title, albeit with a different spelling. The company asserts that the title “Vaaranasi” belongs to them and has released a letter to establish their ownership claim.

Legal Claim vs. Ongoing Promotions

According to the letter accessed by media outlets, the title “Vaaranasi” received approval from the Telugu Film Producers’ Council in 2023. The production company even renewed it for the period between June 24, 2025, and July 23, 2026. They have also reportedly released a poster carrying the same title.

Interestingly, the production house has not yet filed a formal complaint contesting SS Rajamouli’s use of the name.

Notably, Rajamouli’s team is going with the title “SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi” instead of the registered “Vaaranasi.”

However, with the film already announced and promotions well underway, any potential name change now could pose significant challenges.

Will the Title Stay or Change?

Meanwhile, industry insiders suggest that both parties may eventually come to an agreement, possibly striking a deal to resolve the issue amicably. 

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Title disputes are not new to Tollywood with Jr NTR’s Dragon (NTRNeel) being one of the most recent examples- making this yet another case of creative vision crossing paths with legal technicalities.