There is growing talk that S S Rajamouli may have gradually turned Varanasi into a bigger mythological film, moving beyond its original positioning as an adventure drama.
The speculation gained momentum after Rajamouli reportedly told a foreign publication that the Ramayana portions would appear throughout the nearly three-hour film.
Rajamouli is said to have explained that the film will not present one complete Ramayana episode particularly the war portion; at one point before shifting entirely to the globe-trotting adventure. Instead, the Ramayana elements will reportedly appear at different stages of the narrative whenever required.
The story is expected to move back and forth between the two worlds.
Apparently, Rajamouli has structured Varanasi differently from his usual storytelling style and designed it with a more international appeal. As a result, the Ramayana portions are not confined to a single section of the film.
However, sources say there is no truth to rumours that Varanasi has now become a predominantly mythological film or that the Lord Rama portions were expanded later for commercial reasons.
According to insiders, there has been no major mid-way change to the script. Rajamouli is said to be filming the story as originally planned, without significant additions after the shoot began.
Essentially, Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, remains an adventure drama in the mould of the Indiana Jones series, but with significant Ramayana elements woven throughout the narrative.
