The massive project starring Mahesh Babu and directed by SS Rajamouli has navigated its first major off-screen hurdle. The high-profile copyright dispute over the film’s title, Varanasi, is now officially resolved. The makers agreed to a pragmatic solution, announcing that the title for the Telugu version of the film will be changed to “Rajamouli Varanasi,” while the title Varanasi remains intact for all other language releases.
This swift resolution settles the complaint filed by producer CH Subba Reddy’s company, Rama Bramha Hanuma Creations, with the Telugu Film Producers’ Council (TFPC). The agreement clears the path for the $300 million-budgeted global spectacle to continue its production without the shadow of a prolonged legal battle, maintaining its March 25, 2027, release date commitment.
The conflict arose when SS Rajamouli’s team announced their globe- and time-trotting film with the title Varanasi. Producer CH Subba Reddy’s company, Rama Bramha Hanuma Creations, quickly registered an objection with the TFPC.
The production company had already registered the title Vaaranasi (with the slight phonetic spelling difference) in 2023 and had diligently renewed the registration until July 2026. This pre-existing title registration gave Reddy’s team a legal claim under the TFPC guidelines, necessitating a resolution before Rajamouli’s film could move forward with the title in the Telugu market.
When Rajamouli’s project—initially known as #SSMB29—was launched with immense fanfare, Reddy’s team promptly filed a complaint, demanding that the director’s banner, Sri Durga Arts, alter the title to avoid confusion and respect the prior claim. The situation required immediate mediation to prevent an unnecessary delay in one of the most anticipated films in Indian cinema history.
The two parties engaged in constructive negotiations and successfully arrived at a definitive compromise. To honour the prior registration held by Rama Bramha Hanuma Creations while retaining the recognition of the film’s subject matter:
- The Telugu version of the film will officially be titled “Rajamouli Varanasi.”
- The title remains simply “Varanasi” for all Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and international releases.
This solution proves highly beneficial for Rajamouli’s team. By attaching the globally renowned “Rajamouli” brand name directly to the title, they not only resolve the legal dispute but also enhance the film’s massive commercial appeal in the crucial Telugu market. The director’s name alone carries significant box office weight, turning a potential obstacle into a powerful marketing tool.
Trade analysts praised the maturity of both parties for resolving the copyright issue swiftly and amicably, avoiding the costly and time-consuming route of legal litigation.
The resolution ensures the film retains its universal identity as Varanasi—a title instantly recognizable across India and among the global diaspora—in all markets outside of the Telugu states. This is crucial for a pan-world entertainer that aims to tell a story spanning various continents and eras, featuring a star cast including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The production, which is being mounted on a massive budget, can now aggressively move forward with its international promotions and licensing, confident that the title issue is closed. The focus now shifts entirely back to the film’s ambitious production schedule, which must be executed perfectly to meet the rigid March 25, 2027, release date.
This early copyright conflict, though a minor hiccup, reminds the industry of the complex legal landscape surrounding film titles, even for projects helmed by cinematic giants like SS Rajamouli.
