Varanasi Movie: The wait is finally over! Oscar-winning director SS Rajamouli has officially unveiled the title and first glimpse of his highly anticipated post-RRR project. The Varanasi movie, starring superstar Mahesh Babu alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, promises to be a cinematic spectacle that will redefine Indian cinema on the global stage.
At a spectacular launch event at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, over 50,000 fans witnessed history as Rajamouli revealed the Varanasi movie teaser on a massive 130 ft x 100 ft LED screen, creating one of the largest fan gatherings in Indian entertainment history.

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Varanasi Movie: Complete Information at a Glance
| Movie Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Title | Varanasi |
| Previous Working Title | SSMB29, GlobeTrotter |
| Director | SS Rajamouli |
| Lead Actor | Mahesh Babu as Rudhra |
| Female Lead | Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini |
| Antagonist | Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha |
| Music Composer | MM Keeravani (Oscar Winner) |
| Producers | KL Narayana, SS Karthikeya |
| Production Banners | Sri Durga Arts, Showing Business |
| Release Date | Sankranti 2027 (March 25, 2027) |
| Genre | Time-Travel Action Adventure Epic |
| Format | IMAX |
| Languages | Pan-India Multilingual Release |
What Makes Varanasi Movie Special?
The Varanasi movie spans thousands of years, from ancient times to the modern day, with one sequence inspired by a chapter from the Indian epic Ramayana. Rajamouli shared that every sequence and sub-episode required fresh ideas and new plans, believing the film will become one of the most memorable works of his career.
This marks Rajamouli’s most ambitious IMAX project since RRR, which won an Oscar for “Naatu Naatu.” The Varanasi movie promises to take Indian cinema to even greater heights with its combination of mythology, time travel, and large-scale visuals.
The Grand GlobeTrotter Launch Event
The title reveal event at Ramoji Film City was nothing short of spectacular. Nearly 50,000 fans cheered loudly as the giant LED screen lit up with the teaser, with the event featuring a live performance by Shruti Haasan, who sang the trending song “Sanchaari” composed by MM Keeravani.
The event was livestreamed globally on JioHotstar and Variety’s YouTube channel, ensuring fans worldwide could witness the historic moment. Fans held special passport-style entry passes created exclusively for the occasion, adding to the event’s unique appeal.
Mahesh Babu’s Stunning Avatar as Rudhra
The Varanasi movie teaser opens with breathtaking visuals of Mahesh Babu riding a raging white bull while wielding a massive trishul (trident). The frame is rugged, mythical, and grand, with temples rising in the background, showcasing the actor in a never-seen-before avatar.
His introduction shows him riding a white bull and holding a giant trishul at Manikarnika Ghat, surrounded by ancient temples. The blood-stained warrior look has set social media ablaze, with fans calling him the “People’s King.”
Star-Studded Cast and Character Details
Priyanka Chopra Jonas Returns to Indian Cinema
The Varanasi movie marks Priyanka Chopra’s comeback to Indian cinema after The Sky Is Pink. She plays Mandakini, a femme fatale character dressed in a vibrant yellow saree, capturing every essence of her allure while wielding a gun in promotional materials.
At the launch event, Priyanka expressed her gratitude, saying Rajamouli is “truly the visionary that has brought Indian cinema to the globe like no one else has before.”
Prithviraj Sukumaran as the Menacing Villain
Prithviraj plays a vicious supervillain called Kumbha, fully geared to take on Mahesh Babu with his schemes and treacherous plans. Speaking at the event, Prithviraj revealed he was mesmerized after hearing just five minutes of the movie’s narration.
The Time-Travel Concept Behind Varanasi Movie
The film’s announcement video hinted at a deeper mythological connection, featuring an asteroid crashing on Earth and scenes unfolding across centuries, confirming that the Varanasi movie is a time-travel saga with spiritual undertones.
Rajamouli explained that from childhood, he had thought many times about making a Mahabharata-level dream project, and he planned to take one major pillar from the Ramayana for this film.

Production Journey and Challenges
The Varanasi movie began with a puja ceremony in January 2024, with filming conducted across multiple international locations including Kenya, Odisha, and Hyderabad. Rajamouli mentioned they shot for 60 days with complete research, facing daily challenges as each episode had sub-episodes requiring fresh thinking and new planning.
The entire shoot is expected to be wrapped by mid-2026, ensuring adequate time for the elaborate post-production work required for this visual spectacle.
Release Date and Box Office Expectations
The Varanasi movie is set to hit theaters on Sankranti 2027, cementing its place as one of the most anticipated releases in Indian cinema history. With Rajamouli’s track record and the star power of Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, industry experts predict this could become one of India’s biggest cinematic events.
Following RRR’s global success, expectations are sky-high for the Varanasi movie to appeal not just to Indian audiences but to global viewers who have embraced Rajamouli’s storytelling vision.
The Varanasi movie represents SS Rajamouli’s boldest cinematic vision yet—a time-traveling epic that promises to showcase Indian mythology and spirituality on an unprecedented global scale. With its stellar cast, ambitious concept, and Rajamouli’s proven mastery, this is undoubtedly one of the most exciting projects in world cinema.
For more updates on the Varanasi movie, visit IMDb and stay connected with Variety for official news.
Read More- Mandakini: Priyanka Chopra’s Fierce Avatar in SS Rajamouli’s Globetrotter Breaks the Internet!







