Kamal Ghorui
The upcoming pan-Indian film ‘Varanasi,’ directed by S.S. Rajamouli and starring Mahesh Babu is making headlines repeatedly. The big-budget film is being produced on a massive scale. Ever since the project began, fans have eagerly followed every update related to the movie. Huge sets have already been constructed in Hyderabad for important scenes, and the team is shooting at a fast pace. Now, a fresh report about the film’s next schedule has hit a road block.
Water crisis reports around ‘Varanasi’ shoot go viral
According to a report from ABP Live, the makers of ‘Varanasi’ reportedly requested a large number of water tankers for filming underwater scenes at a specially constructed set in Gaganpahad near Rajendranagar. The team is said to have asked the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board for around 150 water tankers, each with a 10,000-litre capacity. However, reports claim that the request was rejected due to the current summer water shortage in Hyderabad. Reports suggest officials could not divert such a huge quantity of water for film shooting because of rising public demand for drinking water across the city. Though there is no official confirmation yet, the news has quickly gone viral online.
Mahesh Babu heads to Germany while the team prepares the underwater action schedule
Meanwhile, Mahesh Babu recently travelled to Germany for trekking and physical training in the Black Forest region. At the same time, director S. S. Rajamouli is reportedly planning the next major shooting schedule of ‘Varanasi.’ Reports say the makers aim to shoot underwater sequences starting May 18. A letter allegedly sent by the production house requesting water supply has also surfaced on social media and is being widely shared. The letter reportedly mentioned that the production team would bear tanker transportation charges and purify the supplied water before usage at the shooting location.
‘Varanasi’ expected to be one of Indian cinema’s biggest projects
Despite the ongoing rumours, excitement surrounding ‘Varanasi’ remains extremely high among fans. Mahesh Babu will play several roles in the movie, including Rudra, Lord Rama, and others. In addition to Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Prakash Raj all appear in the movie. The screenplay is being written by Vijayendra Prasad, and the film’s music is being composed by M. M. Keeravani. Despite the initial lack of clarity regarding the water tanker incident at this stage, the issue has solicited a plethora of views from elements of the separatist movement, the rest of the audience and pundits.
