Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu is reportedly experiencing mounting enthusiasm as production nears its final stages on his highly anticipated collaborative project with visionary filmmaker SS Rajamouli, tentatively titled Varanasi.
High Expectations and Unprecedented Scale:
While Rajamouli’s established global box office track record gave Mahesh initial confidence in the project’s commercial prospects, sources close to the production indicate that even the seasoned actor has been thoroughly astonished by the sheer scale, ambition, and grandiosity of the enterprise. The massive financial and technical backing behind Varanasi has reinforced the actor’s belief that the film could elevate his box office standing to extraordinary new heights.
Chasing Elite Box Office Milestones:
The Telugu film industry has witnessed several major milestones in recent years, with top-tier stars establishing formidable domestic and international footprints. Actors such as Prabhas, Jr. NTR, Ram Charan, and Allu Arjun have successfully crossed the elite Rs 1,000 crore global grosser threshold, while veterans like Chiranjeevi and Pawan Kalyan have cemented their presence in the Rs 300 crore club.
Despite being a leading force in Tollywood, Mahesh Babu has yet to anchor a feature that surpasses the Rs 300 crore mark worldwide. However, inspired by the breathtaking scale witnessed on set, the actor is reportedly setting his sights much higher, believing that Varanasi possesses the commercial viability to cross the monumental Rs 2,000 crore milestone globally a rare feat achieved by only a select handful of Indian cinematic releases. Should this projection materialize, Mahesh would make history as the first Telugu lead actor to spearhead a Rs 2,000 crore-grossing global phenomenon.
Production Timeline and Next Steps;
The actor’s soaring confidence is directly tied to the visual and technical triumphs observed during the grueling production schedule. Principal photography is slated to wrap up within the coming month, after which the project will transition into an extensive and rigorous post-production phase to prepare for its massive international theatrical rollout.
