SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, is currently scheduled for a worldwide IMAX release on April 7, 2027. It is being positioned as India’s biggest global event film and the country’s first feature shot in the 1.43:1 IMAX format.
But the latest Hollywood release calendar has raised an interesting question.
Godzilla x Kong: Supernova is set to release on March 26 with a global IMAX rollout, while Panic Carefully arrives on April 9, also in IMAX. That places Varanasi right between two major Hollywood releases, setting up what could become one of the biggest IMAX clashes in recent years.
Naturally, fans have started wondering whether Rajamouli will stick to April 7 or eventually postpone the film to avoid the competition.
As of now, there is absolutely no indication of a delay. Rajamouli recently confirmed that the film is progressing smoothly, with major IMAX action sequences already completed and around 80 days of shooting still remaining. The team has repeatedly reiterated that April 7, 2027, remains the target release date.
However, the challenge cannot be ignored.
IMAX screens are limited, especially across North America and other key international markets. If Godzilla x Kong opens to huge numbers on March 26, it could continue occupying a significant share of premium IMAX screens when Varanasi arrives on April 7. Just two days later, Panic Carefully is also scheduled to release in IMAX, creating another challenge for screen allocation.
The big question is whether Rajamouli will still stick to April 7 or opt for a postponement to secure a cleaner global IMAX rollout.
But history suggests Rajamouli won’t make that decision emotionally.
Unlike many filmmakers, Rajamouli has shown that he isn’t attached to release dates. Baahubali, Baahubali 2, and RRR were all postponed at different stages because of VFX work, COVID, or production requirements. He has never hesitated to delay a film if he believes it will maximize its impact and box-office potential.
Varanasi is an even bigger project. It is being designed as a global event with an IMAX-first strategy. If Rajamouli feels that an April 7 release could reduce the film’s worldwide IMAX reach or affect its overall theatrical potential, he is practical enough to take a step back. For him, the film’s impact, global reach, and theatrical experience have always mattered more than sticking to a particular release date.
For now, April 7, 2027, remains firmly locked. But with Godzilla x Kong and Panic Carefully already surrounding Varanasi’s release, Rajamouli will eventually have to make an important call.
Will he clash head-on with two Hollywood IMAX films, or postpone Varanasi to give India’s biggest global project the widest possible worldwide release?
The answer could shape not just Varanasi’s box-office journey, but also India’s biggest attempt yet at a truly global IMAX event film.
