SS Rajamouli Celebrated in France with Retrospective and Lumière Museum Honor

SS Rajamouli, the renowned Telugu filmmaker, is being celebrated in France with a special retrospective of his films, including the iconic Baahubali and RRR. He received a prestigious plaque at the Lumière Museum, joining the ranks of cinematic legends. As he prepares for his upcoming film Varanasi, set for release in 2027, Rajamouli reflects on his journey and the honor bestowed upon him. This article delves into his achievements and the excitement surrounding his future projects.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 2, 2026, 18:10 IST

SS Rajamouli's French Retrospective

SS Rajamouli, the acclaimed Telugu filmmaker, is receiving immense admiration from audiences in France. He is currently showcasing his iconic films, including Baahubali, Eega, Maryada Ramanna, and the Oscar-winning RRR, in cities like Paris, Lyon, and Neuchâtel. While he is busy working on his upcoming project Varanasi, set for release in April 2027, he has taken a week to present this special retrospective of his cinematic achievements. Furthermore, Rajamouli was honored with a plaque at the prestigious Institut Lumière, a tribute to the pioneers of cinema, Auguste and Louis Lumière.

Recognition at the Lumière Museum

Rajamouli's Recognition at the Lumière Museum

Rajamouli is gaining recognition across France, having a seat reserved in his name at the cinema hall dedicated to the legendary Henri Langlois. Esteemed director Costa Gavras attended the screening of Rajamouli's films. His name now proudly appears on the wall alongside cinematic legends such as Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, and Francis Ford Coppola.

Sharing his experience on social media, Rajamouli expressed gratitude towards Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Institut Lumière and the Cannes Film Festival, for the honor. He was deeply moved by the recognition, especially as Frémaux guided him through the historic streets where cinema originated. He reflected on this unforgettable moment, stating, "I don’t even know what to say for the honour of having my name permanently placed on the Mur des Cinéastes, along with the greats. Only gratitude. Deeply, deeply humbled."

Insights on Varanasi

Updates on Varanasi

During his recent appearance at the Annecy Film Festival, Rajamouli shared with Variety that the major action sequences for Varanasi have been filmed, and he aims to complete the smaller connecting scenes by October 2026. The film, featuring stars like Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Prakash Raj, is set to premiere on April 7, 2027. Notably, it will be the first Indian film shot in IMAX format.

Rajamouli has crafted the screenplay, while the story is a collaborative effort with his father, V Vijayendra Prasad, and SS Kanchi. The musical score will be composed by his cousin, MM Keeravani, who won an Oscar for Naatu Naatu from RRR. Priyanka Chopra recently announced that the Telugu film will be dubbed in 200 languages. With an estimated budget of around Rs 1,400 crore, Varanasi is poised to be one of the most expensive films in Indian cinema history.