The world of Indian cinema is abuzz with news about the grand recreation of Varanasi in Hyderabad for director S.S. Rajamouli’s highly anticipated film, Varanasi (formerly SSMB29). Touted as one of the most ambitious set constructions in Indian film history, this elaborate replica is designed for the upcoming action-adventure epic starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
A City Within a City
The Varanasi set occupies the vacant space between Hyderabad’s Aluminium Factory and Ramoji Film City. The set occupies 280000 square feet, extending 700 feet by 400 feet to create a 30 per cent smaller replica of the original ancient city. The filmmakers dedicated themselves to creating an authentic experience through immersive storytelling.
Hyper-Realistic Details
The set features its main attraction, an accurately constructed replica of the Ratneshwar Mahadev Temple, which stands out for its strong tilt. The project team focused on developing a precise representation of the temple’s architectural design, including its distinctive sloping feature. The filmmakers developed an authentic reproduction of the riverfront ghats, including the sacred Manikarnika Ghat, through their detailed construction of steps, funeral pyres, and wooden rowboats.
A Journey Through Time
The film offers a unique capability to showcase Varanasi through different historical periods. The designers have created spaces that showcase how the city developed, while the film depicts different historical periods in Varanasi. The filmmakers used meticulous research to create accurate representations of all historical periods, which show ancient customs and modern-day activities.
The Recreation of Varanasi through this project will create new standards for Indian cinema, which will transform both production design and visual storytelling methods.
