"The body has not supplied the water tankers."
The production of the ambitious science fiction epic Varanasi has encountered a significant hurdle during its filming in Hyderabad.
City officials recently rejected a massive request for water tankers needed to shoot complex underwater sequences this summer.
The film represents director SS Rajamouli’s first major cinematic release since his global breakthrough success with RRR.
Producers from Sri Durga Arts reportedly asked the local water board for 150 tankers containing 10,000 litres each.
This water was intended to fill a large pond at the Hyderabad Film City Studio located in Gaganpahad.
However, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board denied the request amidst an ongoing regional heatwave.
Managing Director K Ashok Reddy confirmed that the municipal body has not supplied any tankers for the shoot.
“The body has not supplied the water tankers for Varanasi’s shoot.”
Official reports state that the refusal was communicated orally to the team behind the large-scale production recently.
The city is currently struggling to meet increased domestic demand for water during a particularly harsh summer season.
The film crew is currently filming underwater scenes, which were expected to continue through May.
The production team is now scrambling to find alternative water sources to maintain their busy filming schedule.
This highly anticipated project features a global narrative spanning across India, Antarctica, Sri Lanka and Africa.
Some sequences are even set in the distant Treta Yuga, which took place five thousand years in the past.
The film marks a significant return to Indian cinema for actress Priyanka Chopra after nearly a decade.
The plot revolves around a desperate hunt for a powerful ancient artefact from a legendary historical period.
Filmmakers originally hoped to use purified water to meet the high-quality standards required for clear underwater filming.
The production house offered to pay all necessary charges for the supply from the municipal board directly.
However, the severe water scarcity in the Telangana capital made it impossible for officials to grant the request.
Varanasi is currently being developed as a pan-India project with a scheduled release date in April 2027.
The director is well known for his mastery of visual storytelling and large-scale action choreography in cinema.
Many fans are eager to see how he blends historical mythology with futuristic science fiction elements this time.
The current filming at Gaganpahad remains a top priority for the crew despite these unexpected logistical challenges.
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