Rajamouli Explains Why Varanasi Was Shot in IMAX
Director S. S. Rajamouli has revealed why his highly anticipated magnum opus Varanasi is being filmed in the IMAX format, emphasizing that the decision was driven entirely by the film’s extraordinary visual scale rather than marketing.
Varanasi has already made headlines as the first non-English language film designed to feature 1.43:1 IMAX sequences, making it one of the most technically ambitious Indian films ever produced.
Speaking in an interview with Tsounami, Rajamouli explained that the film’s breathtaking landscapes and massive action sequences demanded a much larger cinematic canvas. According to the filmmaker, the story features gigantic environments that would lose their impact on conventional screens.
He revealed that Varanasi includes visually spectacular sequences set in Antarctica, showcasing towering ice formations reaching nearly 300 feet in height, along with epic battle scenes featuring massive armies from Ancient Rome. Presenting such enormous visuals with their intended grandeur required the immersive capabilities of the IMAX format.
“The scale is massive. From 300-foot-high ice walls in Antarctica to gigantic armies of Ancient Rome, we wanted to capture their immensity in the best possible way, and the IMAX ratio allowed us to do that,” Rajamouli said.
With Varanasi, Rajamouli continues to push the boundaries of Indian filmmaking, promising audiences an unprecedented large-screen cinematic experience that showcases his vision on a truly global scale.
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