Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Gunasekhar's Rudhramadevi: The IMAX Vision That Never Was
Director Gunasekhar wanted to make his historical epic Rudhramadevi in IMAX format but couldn't due to limited screens.
Now, director S S Rajamouli is making his film Varanasi in IMAX, which is expected to boost IMAX's presence in India.
Director Gunasekhar initially planned to shoot Rudhramadevi in IMAX format in 2012
The project was shelved due to limited IMAX screens and high upgrade costs
Gunasekhar later released the film in a regular format, which was successful
S S Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, will be shot in IMAX
Varanasi's release is expected to expand IMAX's footprint in India and globally
- Who
- Gunasekhar (Rudhramadevi), S S Rajamouli (Varanasi), Mahesh Babu (Varanasi)
- What
- Planned/Planning to shoot films in IMAX format
- When
- Around 2012 (Rudhramadevi), 2025 (Varanasi)
- Where
- India
- Why
- To present films as visual spectacles, expand IMAX's presence
- Initial IMAX upgrade budget
- ₹15 crore
- Number of IMAX screens in India in 2012
- A handful
- Number of IMAX screens in India in 2025
- Around 34
- Expected number of IMAX screens in India by 2027
- Growing