Hollywood meets Indian epic as James Cameron eyes Rajamouli’s Varanasi set

During an IMAX promotional event in India on Wednesday for Avatar: Fire and Ash , legendary filmmaker James Cameron spoke with enthusiasm about S.S. Rajamouli’s ongoing project being filmed in Varanasi . Cameron revealed that the film has been in production for nearly a year and still has eight to nine months of shooting left, highlighting the sheer scale of the venture.

Cameron, known for directing iconic films such as Titanic , Avatar , Terminator 2: Judgment Day , and Aliens , expressed a keen desire to visit the Varanasi set . In a light-hearted moment, he even offered to step in as a second unit director , a remark that was warmly received by the film’s team, who promptly extended an invitation.

Rajamouli’s ambitious IMAX epic stars Mahesh Babu in the lead, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran playing key roles. The film blends large-scale action with mythological themes rooted in the spiritual landscape of the holy city. Among its most ambitious portions is a visually rich 60-day Lord Rama sequence , designed to add both narrative depth and cultural resonance.

The interaction reflected mutual admiration between two filmmakers celebrated for redefining spectacle-driven cinema. Cameron praised Rajamouli’s ability to combine emotional storytelling with scale, while Rajamouli has often cited Cameron’s work as a major influence on his cinematic vision.

The moment has generated excitement across film circles, symbolising a rare convergence of Hollywood and Indian cinema, and further building anticipation around Rajamouli’s much-awaited Varanasi-based project.