SS Rajamouli’s next mega project, Varanasi, is not just set to bring grandeur back on screens, it is also bringing back more. With the massive budget project, starring Mahesh babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran, IMAX is also returning to Hyderabad.
The news comes like a treat for moviegoers in the city who are now set to witness the return of an immersive screening experience after more than a decade. For the plan, AMB Cinemas of Mahesh Babu has joined hands with IMAX Corporation and Asian Cinemas to bring a new premium-screen experience ahead of the release of the much-awaited film.
The first of the three new IMAX with Laser locations that have been announced include AMB Classic, a luxury cinema venture supported by the Telugu superstar and key figures from the Telugu film industry. The venue is expected to start functioning before the end of 2026, in sync with the arrival of .
Why is IMAX return to Hyderabad important?
On June 1, AMB Cinemas (Asian Mahesh Babu Cinemas) announced that it is set to bring IMAX back to Hyderabad. In a social media post, it wrote, “MAX PICTURE. MAX SOUND. MAX IMMERSION. Introducing, IMAX. Coming soon only at AMB Classic Victory, Hyderabad.” Its text read, “To the city that turns every release into a festival. To the land where cinema is a celebration. The format it always deserved is finally here.”
The announcement is a big moment for the cinema landscape of Hyderabad. Ever since the iconic Prasads IMAX closed down in 2015, the city has not had an screen. For many years, fans have expressed disappointment over the unavailability of the premium format in one of the most cinema-loving markets in India.
IMAX executives said Hyderabad is one of the key locations where demand for the format has continued to remain strong despite the absence of a dedicated venue. The new partnership aims to close that gap and give audiences the big-screen experience that many film fans have been waiting for.
Varanasi shot on IMAX-certified digital cameras
This is significant timing, especially since Varanasi is going to be one of the biggest Indian film releases in 2027. The film is being shot on IMAX-certified digital cameras, giving audiences a chance to see Rajamouli’s vision in an expanded format tailor-made for giant screens.
Rajamouli already has a successful history with IMAX. His blockbuster films RRR and Baahubali: The Conclusion rank among the highest-grossing Indian titles ever screened in the format worldwide. That makes Varanasi a key title for IMAX’s global slate going forward.
Beyond the Hyderabad launch, two additional IMAX locations under the AMB Cinemas banner are scheduled to open in 2028, further strengthening the premium exhibition network in India.
About Varanasi
Initially teased under the title GlobeTrotter, Varanasi promises a time-spanning adventure. Rajamouli revealed that a major sequence draws inspiration from an important episode of the Ramayana, with 60 days of shooting marking one of the most challenging segments of his career.
The movie stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini. Varanasi has been shot in several locations like India, Kenya, Antarctica and so on. It will release on April 7, 2027, in Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada and Hindi.