Panel of SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi at Mexico Comic Con Sees Empty Seats

A promotional panel for SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi at Mexico Comic Con has triggered widespread online debate after visuals from the event showed a noticeable number of empty seats. The session, part of the film’s global outreach strategy at CCXP Mexico, was aimed at building international buzz ahead of release but instead shifted attention to audience turnout.

A still from the panel discussion was shared on Instagram by an attendee, showing Karthikeya on stage while a segment played behind him. However, what stood out was the empty front-row seating , which quickly became the centre of social media chatter.

Sharing the image on X (formerly Twitter), one Indian film fan wrote, “This is really Embarrassing, SSR Represented India on a Global Scale and Audience at Mexico Comic Con are not giving deserved importance to Varanasi. The empty seats convey everything.” The post went viral, sparking divided reactions.

Another video, reposted by the Varanasi film account, showed Rajamouli addressing fans through a video message discussing Baahubali and RRR . However, venue visuals also showed attendees walking around and some moving out during the screening , further intensifying debate online. One cine account commented that “#Varanasi & #Ramayana seems heavily tilted toward Western markets… signals aren’t great,” while pointing to walkouts during the segment . Some users also called the reaction surprising given the global success of RRR .

However, many fans defended the panel, saying the clips showed only part of the picture. They shared images of Karthikeya posing with Liam Crowley, with seated and standing crowds visible behind them , suggesting better engagement. Others noted that empty seats were seen across multiple Comic Con panels , not just Varanasi .

Adding to Rajamouli’s presence at CCXP Mexico, he also engaged with audiences about his filmmaking journey , reflecting on his rise from early career struggles to global recognition. He further revealed how Mayan civilization inspired Baahubali , a detail that caught strong attention from international fans and sparked renewed interest in the cultural layering behind his blockbuster universe.