Will Varanasi Bring IMAX to the Telugu States?

The title glimpse of SS Rajamouli’s globetrotter action adventure Varanasi, starring Superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead role, received a thunderous response from all quarters across the globe after its launch in Hyderabad on Saturday night. 

What caught the attention of moviegoers is Rajamouli’s big statement that he is introducing a groundbreaking technology with Varanasi as the entire filming is being directly done in Premium Large-scale Format IMAX unlike his previous movies Baahubali and RRR which were shot in cinema scope and later converted into IMAX format. 

So, Varansi will feature 1.43:1 aspect ratio sequences in IMAX format and this will offer a mind-blowing experience for viewers only when they watch it in theatres with such screens. Unfortunately there is no single screen in India which supports this technology. 

Though there are a few screens in North Indian cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai which are equipped with IMAX format, there are no theatres in the country with 1.43 IMAX screens. More disappointingly, there is not a single IMAX theatre in Telugu states. Prasad’s IMAX in Hyderabad only offers PCX experience and doesn’t have the complete impact of real IMAX. 

As Varanasi is aiming for release in 2027 or early 2028, as it would take considerable time for completing the entire filming and post production, there is a chance for setting up an IMAX screen which supports 1.43 format by that time. IMAX corporation vice president also expressed hope that Hyderabad will join the elite list by the time Varanasi releases. 

Even Rajamouli also expressed big hope that there will be atleast one 1.43 IMAX screen in India and an IMAX in Hyderabad before Varanasi hits the screens. As Varanasi is touted to be a global cinema from our Telugu land, there is a possibility that IMAX screen will be set up in the next 2 years and gets opened with Varanasi. It will be truly a never-before-seen experience for moviegoers if it happens.