The Academy’s decision to carve out a separate stunt design award for 2028 has turned the spotlight on Varanasi, a film that promises to rewrite action tropes. The 100th Oscars will honor films from 2027, and this blockbuster, slated for April 2027, sits at the intersection of myth, sci‑fi and time‑travel theatrics. The buzz is that its choreography will pull audiences into a dizzying vortex of high‑octane sequences that feel less like spectacle and more like a roller‑coaster ride through the heart of Varanasi’s streets.
“It’s going to be crazy and a different kind of action,” SS Karthikeya told Thyview, hinting that Varanasi’s stunts will depart from the grand, gravity‑defying ballets of RRR and Baahubali. He added that every frame will keep viewers perched on the edge of their seats, a promise that makes the production feel almost audacious. The director’s ambition is clear: to deliver choreography that’s not just seen but felt, a visceral push that could win the Academy’s coveted recognition.
The star‑studded cast adds another layer of intrigue. Mahesh Babu steps into the shoes of Rudhra, a time‑traveller who finds himself up against a double‑crossing Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Kumbha, a tech‑savvy mastermind. Priyanka Chopra makes her long‑awaited return to Hindi cinema, playing Mandakini, a saree‑clad gun‑wielding heroine whose presence alone is a visual punch. Together, they promise a narrative that stitches mythic lore with futuristic twists.
With its April launch, Varanasi arrives just in time to be eligible for the new stunt design category at the 100th Academy Awards. If the film lives up to Karthikeya’s hype, it could usher in a new era of Indian action on the global stage, proving that the country’s stunt designers are ready to take center stage. The next step? Fans and critics alike will be watching the reels, waiting to see if this cinematic juggernaut can translate its bold promise into an Oscar‑sized reality.