S.S. Rajamouli’s ambitious film Varanasi India’s first movie shot in the ultra-premium 1.43:1 IMAX aspect ratio is facing an unexpected hurdle long before its scheduled 2027 release. Despite the unprecedented scale of production and a star-studded cast featuring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, India today lacks even a single IMAX screen capable of showcasing the film in the format it is being filmed in.
The revelation has triggered widespread debate, social media reactions, and urgent calls for IMAX expansion across major Indian cities especially Hyderabad, the epicenter of Telugu cinema and home to Rajamouli’s filmmaking legacy.
Rajamouli Pushes Boundaries with India’s First 1.43:1 IMAX Film
Rajamouli’s reputation for cinematic innovation is well-known from Baahubali to RRR, the filmmaker has consistently elevated India’s global film presence. With Varanasi, however, he is entering territory previously explored only by Hollywood giants like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve.
The 1.43:1 full-frame IMAX format is regarded as the gold standard for visual immersion. It offers:
Up to 40% more image compared to standard widescreen formats
Towering visuals suitable for large action sequences and deep-focus storytelling
Rare usage worldwide, mainly in mega-productions
By choosing this elite format, Rajamouli is aiming to create an Indian film that competes technically with the world’s most advanced blockbusters.
Yet, India’s IMAX infrastructure is unprepared for such technological ambition.
India Has 34 IMAX Screens But None Support Full 1.43:1 Format
As of now, India houses 34 IMAX screens, but all of them are equipped only for digital IMAX 1.90:1, not the vertically expanded 1.43:1 format needed to display Varanasi in its intended grandeur.
Key limitations include:
- 0 screens in the 1.43:1 full IMAX format
- 0 screens in Hyderabad, despite being one of India’s largest film markets
- Most Indian IMAX screens are multiplex retrofits, not purpose-built giant IMAX installations
This creates a unique and ironic challenge: India’s most ambitious IMAX movie cannot currently be experienced in India in its true format.
Hyderabad’s IMAX Absence Sparks Debate
Hyderabad, home to Tollywood and Rajamouli’s core audience, shockingly does not have a single IMAX screen. For a city that consistently delivers some of India’s highest box-office revenues, this gap stands out.
Film fans and analysts point out:
Telugu cinema hosts some of the biggest-budget, pan-India projects, including RRR, Pushpa, Salaar, and upcoming mega-productions.
Hyderabad’s cinema culture is known for massive first-day turnouts and premium-format ticket sales.
The city has enough audience demand to sustain multiple IMAX installations.
Following the Varanasi announcement, social media users began questioning why major Indian film hubs like Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata lack full IMAX support while smaller markets abroad host 1.43:1 screens.
IMAX Plans 65 New Screens by Mid-2026: Can India Catch Up?
According to the extract, IMAX Corporation has already charted an expansion plan 65 new IMAX screens globally by mid-2026. Industry speculation suggests that India, one of the world’s fastest-growing cinema markets, is a top priority on this list.
Reports indicate:
- Discussions for new IMAX installations in Hyderabad are already underway
- Several Tier-1 cities like Bengaluru, Pune, and Ahmedabad may also receive new IMAX theatres
- IMAX is collaborating more actively with Indian exhibitors, seeing revenue potential from mega-franchise films
If even a handful of these upcoming screens support the GT Laser 1.43:1 format, India could be ready by the time Varanasi hits theatres in 2027.
However, installation of a full-format IMAX screen requires:
- Large, purpose-built auditoriums
- Specialized projection systems
- Massive investment from multiplex chains
This means the timeline is tight, and commitments must be made soon.
Social Media Ignites: Fans Demand IMAX Upgrade Before 2027
The announcement has sparked huge online conversations among fans of Mahesh Babu, Rajamouli, and Indian cinema in general.
Trending points include:
- “If Rajamouli is shooting in 1.43, India must have screens to match!”
- “How can Hyderabad not have a single IMAX?”
- “Hollywood films get 1.43:1 IMAX shows worldwide India deserves the same for Indian films.”
- “The government and exhibitors must push for cinema modernization.”
Many cinema analysts also believe that Varanasi could be the push India needs to accelerate premium-format infrastructure, much like how Baahubali transformed pan-India distribution models.
Rajamouli’s Vision Demands a Revolution in Theatre Infrastructure
Rajamouli’s filmmaking style huge frames, intricate visual details, and monumental action sequences has always benefited from premium theatrical presentation. Shooting Varanasi in IMAX 1.43:1 suggests:
Many scenes are designed specifically for tall, towering IMAX screens
Audiences will get more vertical visual information than in standard formats
The experience in non-IMAX screens will still be grand, but not identical to the director’s vision
This format decision aligns Rajamouli with global filmmakers who use IMAX not merely for marketing, but as a storytelling tool.
Will India Experience ‘Varanasi’ the Way It Was Meant to Be Seen?
If India fails to build 1.43:1 full-format IMAX screens by 2027:
Varanasi may only play in standard or cropped IMAX versions
Indian audiences may miss the most visually expansive version of a film created by one of their own
Countries like the U.S., UK, China, and UAE may offer a superior cinematic experience for an Indian movie
Such an outcome would not only disappoint fans but also highlight the gap between India’s filmmaking ambition and its exhibition infrastructure.
Industry Analysts: ‘This Is the Moment to Act’
Cinema experts believe India must seize this moment.
Three reasons stand out:
1. Indian filmmakers are increasingly adopting global-scale productions.
Big-budget pan-India movies deserve world-class exhibition.
2. Premium formats dramatically increase revenue.
IMAX tickets are priced significantly higher, boosting box office returns.
3. India’s youth-driven audience prefers immersive theatrical experiences over OTT.
Investing in IMAX aligns with audience behavior.
Exhibitors like PVR INOX and Cinepolis are already exploring expansions in premium screens, but full-format IMAX commitments require deeper planning.
‘Varanasi’ Could Redefine India’s Cinema Landscape If Infrastructure Keeps Up
S.S. Rajamouli’s Varanasi is not just another big film it represents a bold leap in Indian cinema’s technical evolution. But for this leap to reach audiences as intended, India must address the glaring absence of full-format IMAX screens.
With IMAX planning major global expansion and public demand intensifying, the next two years could be transformative. If Indian cities secure new installations especially Hyderabad Varanasi may become the milestone that redefined India’s cinema infrastructure.
If not, the world may witness Rajamouli’s vision in full IMAX glory while Indian audiences receive a compromised version.
Either way, the dialogue has begun and Indian cinema lovers are watching closely.
