The Yash-starrer Toxic has been shot in both Kannada and English to cater directly to the global market. Co-producer Yash successfully secured a major international distribution deal with Hollywood studio Lionsgate, which will oversee the film’s theatrical rollout in key overseas markets like North America. Concurrently, another massive pan-Indian project, Ramayana—starring Ranbir Kapoor, Yash, and Sai Pallavi—has locked in an international theatrical partnership with Sony Pictures International. Producer Namit Malhotra, CEO of the Oscar-winning visual effects studio DNEG (which previously contributed to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey), leveraged his deep Hollywood connections to seal the arrangement. Both Toxic and Ramayana have reportedly finalized lucrative over-the-top (OTT) streaming agreements as well.
The Status of SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’:
Despite being one of the largest Indian productions currently underway and starring Mahesh Babu alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas, SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi has yet to finalize a major international theatrical distribution or OTT streaming agreement. Rajamouli’s production team has actively pursued discussions with leading Hollywood studios, including Disney, Universal Pictures, and Sony Pictures, alongside widespread international promotional efforts. However, none of these talks have culminated in a formal contract. This delay stands in stark contrast to Rajamouli’s established global standing, cemented by the worldwide success of the Baahubali franchise and RRR.
Industry Factors Impacting ‘Varanasi’s Global Partnerships:
The absence of finalized overseas and digital partners for Varanasi points to complex behind-the-scenes variables rather than a lack of directorial prestige. International studios are likely conducting rigorous evaluations regarding the film’s massive scale, high production budget, commercial projections, and the financial risks inherent in backing an original Indian epic on such a grand financial level. While Toxic and Ramayana have established their global pathways, Varanasi remains a high-stakes question mark within the international marketplace.
