SS Rajamouli, the acclaimed director of the Baahubali franchise, recently revealed that his upcoming film Varanasi has been shot entirely in the IMAX-compatible 1.43:1 format. However, he lamented the lack of such screens in India and jokingly threatened to stage a "dharna" outside IMAX's office in Los Angeles if one wasn't installed before his film's release on April 7, 2027.
Giovanni Dolci, Chief Commercial Officer of IMAX Corporation, responded to Rajamouli's demand, stating that India is a key market for IMAX. Dolci emphasized that IMAX works hand-in-hand with exhibitors worldwide to bring IMAX screens to cinemas and is eager to find additional locations, especially those supporting the 1.43:1 aspect ratio in India.
Rajamouli had earlier revealed that IMAX was their first choice for Varanasi, and technical discussions followed. He expressed disappointment over the lack of IMAX screens in India, leading him to consider building a 100 ft by 130 ft screen for the teaser reveal. Currently, India has only one true 1:43:1 screen at Science City in Gujarat, which isn't commercially operational, and 34 IMAX screens operating in the 1:90:1 format.
IMAX has expanded its presence in India by nearly 60% since 2020, with plans to increase its reach further. Dolci stated that there is room for at least 150 IMAX theatres in India, indicating a growing demand for premium cinema experiences. The development has sparked hope among fans that Varanasi might prompt the installation of more IMAX screens in India, particularly in cities like Hyderabad, where the film's premiere took place.