The buzz around SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi just got louder — and this time, it’s coming straight from its Hollywood star. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who co-leads the epic alongside Mahesh Babu, called the film “career-defining” at the premiere of her upcoming Amazon Prime Video thriller The Bluff. She also didn’t hold back on praising the director: “He is one of the best that we have in India.”
Coming from a global icon like PeeCee, that’s not a throwaway compliment. That’s a statement.
Varanasi: Everything You Need to Know at a Glance
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Film Title | Varanasi |
| Director | SS Rajamouli |
| Lead Actor | Mahesh Babu (as Rudhra) |
| Co-lead | Priyanka Chopra Jonas (as Mandakini) |
| Antagonist | Prithviraj Sukumaran (as Kumbha) |
| Release Date | April 7, 2027 |
| Runtime | ~3 Hours (Single Film, Not Two Parts) |
| Shoot Completion | Expected by June 2026 |
| Genre | Epic Adventure / Action |
What Makes This Film Different?
Rajamouli — the visionary behind RRR and the Baahubali franchise — is known for films that redefine Indian cinema’s global ceiling. Varanasi follows Mahesh Babu’s character Rudhra, a globe-trotting, time-traveling adventurer. Mahesh Babu will also reportedly appear as Lord Rama in one of the film’s mythological episodes — a detail that has fans already losing their minds.
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays a futuristic supervillain named Kumbha, seen in a striking first-look poster in a high-tech wheelchair. The casting alone signals this is no ordinary masala entertainer.
For more on Rajamouli’s upcoming vision, check out our detailed breakdown of Varanasi’s latest updates on TechnoSports.
As of late 2025, around 50% of the film’s shoot had been completed. With a June 2026 wrap expected, the April 2027 release window feels both ambitious and very real.
Priyanka Chopra’s Bollywood Return — And Why It Matters
PeeCee heading back to Indian cinema under Rajamouli’s direction is a full-circle moment for millions of fans. Her character Mandakini is described as a femme fatale — and if the first-look poster is anything to go by, she’s bringing fire to every frame.
Meanwhile, catch her first in The Bluff, a 19th-century pirate action thriller hitting Amazon Prime Video on February 25, 2026.
FAQs
Q: When is Varanasi releasing?
Q: What is Priyanka Chopra’s role in Varanasi?
Priyanka plays Mandakini, a femme fatale, and has called the film a “career-defining” project, praising director SS Rajamouli as one of the best filmmakers in India.
