Varanasi: Disney Out, Marvel In Talks?

Varanasi, the ambitious project of legendary filmmaker SS Rajamouli and Superstar Mahesh Babu, is once again in the news. This time, the discussion is not about casting or budget, but rather about a potential international studio partnership. Back then, there were attempts to partner with Disney, but reports suggest that the terms did not work out. Here comes another such discussion now.

One key update doing the rounds is that the makers are now in talks with Marvel Studios for a collaboration. Of course, movie lovers might get a doubt as to why a film like Varanasi needs a global studio backing, while Rajamouli could literally do anything and everything. If you look at Rajamouli’s track record with films like RRR, the reach is no longer limited to India. His films are now targeting global markets, both in terms of scale and distribution. A tie-up with a studio like Marvel could mean better international reach, advanced technical support, and stronger positioning in overseas markets.

At the same time, such collaborations are not easy. Budget control, creative freedom, and revenue sharing become major discussion points if Hollywood studios are involved, as they take care of the distribution and marketing of the movie. That could be one of the reasons why the earlier talks with Disney didn’t go through. Already, Varanasi is said to have entered a deal with IMAX for a global big-screen release, and we have to see who else comes aboard now. Meanwhile, the shooting of the film is going on at the Varanasi set created in Hyderabad.