Pushpa 2: The Rule currently holds the benchmark for the biggest theatrical business in Indian cinema history, with its theatrical rights across various markets reportedly adding up to around ₹625 crore worldwide. The Sukumar-directed sequel benefited from the enormous popularity of the Pushpa franchise and Allu Arjun’s pan-Indian appeal, allowing distributors to invest heavily even before its release. Now, SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi is reportedly on course to surpass that massive figure.
S. S. Rajamouli – The Brand
The Varanasi Telugu states rights are already attracting offers in the ₹300 crore range, while its overseas business is reportedly expected to contribute another ₹150 crore. That puts the combined value of these two territories at approximately ₹450 crore, even before factoring in the rest of India. North India, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala are collectively expected to contribute at least another ₹325 crore, taking the projected worldwide theatrical business to around ₹775 crore. If these estimates materialise, the Varanasi vs Pushpa 2 record comparison could end with Rajamouli’s film surpassing the ₹625 crore benchmark by at least ₹150 crore. Rajamouli’s brand, combined with ‘Super Star’ Mahesh Babu, plays a major role in driving this business. The exceptional glimpse released last November created huge expectations for the film and the combination.
Taking Over World Cinema
What makes the Varanasi theatrical business record Pushpa 2 story particularly remarkable is that Rajamouli is potentially achieving this with a new story rather than an established franchise or sequel. Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles, with Rajamouli directing from a story by his father and frequent collaborator Vijayendra Prasad. The film is an ambitious action-adventure epic that reportedly spans different time periods and locations, and is being mounted on a massive scale. Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027, with the combination of Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu generating enormous pre-release business interest.
