The title dispute surrounding Varanasi, the upcoming film starring Mahesh Babu and directed by S S Rajamouli, has finally been resolved.
According to records of the Telugu Film Producers Council, the title had been registered in 2023 and was recently renewed for the period from June 24, 2025, to July 23, 2026. This made the ownership of the title legally valid.
The controversy ended after the title holder, Subba Reddy, reportedly agreed to hand it over to the makers of the Rajamouli-Mahesh Babu project.
Confirming the development, Telugu Film Producers Council secretary T Prasanna Kumar said the issue had been settled and appreciated Subba Reddy for resolving the matter amicably.
“The title issue has been resolved, and Subba Reddy deserves appreciation for his gesture. I hope other directors and writers learn from this example,” he said.
Prasanna Kumar also urged filmmakers and writers to maintain a professional approach while registering movie titles.
He said titles should not be registered merely with the intention of demanding money from other producers later, adding that such practices often lead to unnecessary disputes within the industry.
With the title issue now settled, the Rajamouli-Mahesh Babu film can proceed without any legal complications.
The development brings an end to one of Tollywood’s most discussed title controversies and clears a major hurdle for the highly anticipated project.
