Netflix in Talks for SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu's 'Varanasi' Post-Theatrical Rights

Director SS Rajamouli's upcoming film, 'Varanasi,' starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is already generating significant buzz. Rajamouli officially announced the film's world to the public a month ago at a special event in Hyderabad. The movie is slated for a global release in multiple languages in the summer of 2027.

Even with over a year remaining until its theatrical debut, 'Varanasi' is attracting considerable attention, particularly regarding its digital rights. According to reports in Telugu media, Netflix is very interested in securing the post-theatrical streaming rights for the film.

While details are still emerging, industry insiders suggest the filmmakers are seeking a price approximately 25% higher than that of 'Pushpa 2 - The Rule,' which was sold for around 275 crores, making it the largest OTT deal for an Indian film to date.

Regardless of the final figures, 'Varanasi' is anticipated to command a record-breaking price. Netflix previously enjoyed considerable success with Rajamouli's 'RRR,' which remained a popular title on the platform for several months after its release. Unlike 'RRR,' where Netflix only acquired the Hindi version, the streaming giant is expected to pursue the rights to all language versions of 'Varanasi'.