# Prithviraj Sukumaran wraps filming for SS Rajamouli’s “Varanasi” – A high‑stakes, hard‑earned schedule ends

URL: https://technosports.co.in/prithviraj-sukumaran-ss-rajamoulis-varanasi/  
Published: 2026-04-07  
Updated: 2026-04-07  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

If you’ve been following **SS Rajamouli’s next big project**, the wrap‑up of **Prithviraj Sukumaran’s shooting schedule for “Varanasi”** feels like a major milestone in the journey toward what’s being called a **2027 magnum‑opus time‑travel spectacle**. The Malayalam superstar, known for his grit and physical dedication, has officially marked the end of a long, intense leg of the shoot, celebrating with a simple but relatable “cheat‑meal” and a cheeky promise to fans: **“See you in theatres, April 7, 2027.”**

For a clear, official‑style overview of how Indian epics and big‑budget action films are framed in the global cinema context, you can refer to the **Varanasi (2027 film) – Wikipedia** page [Varanasi (2027 film) – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varanasi_(2027_film)).

## “Varanasi” And Prithviraj’s Role

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Film title** | **“Varanasi”** – Telugu‑language epic action‑adventure directed by S. S. Rajamouli.  |
| **Casting** | **Mahesh Babu (Rudhra), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Mandakini), Prithviraj Sukumaran (Kumbha)**.  |
| **Prithviraj’s role** | He plays **Kumbha**, reportedly the primary antagonist, opposite Mahesh Babu’s Shiva‑devotee‑turned‑time‑travel bounty hunter.  |
| **Budget & scale** | A massive Rs 1,200–1,400 crore production with large‑scale sets, intricate VFX, and IMAX‑style sequences.  |
| **Release date** | Scheduled for **April 7, 2027**.  |

## What “Wrapping A Schedule” Means For Prithviraj

![](https://imagedelivery.net/c3a8230fccbe78d87fd4f9ceb00fbeb0/wp-1264289-vvssr/public)

Filming under **SS Rajamouli** is not just long‑hours work; it’s a full‑body, full‑mind grind.

- **Physical and mental strain**: Reports say Prithviraj was in strict workout and diet mode to stay in peak form for the physically demanding role, which meant avoiding his usual rich, indulgent meals for weeks.
- **“Cheat meal” celebration**: Once the schedule ended, he shared a picture of a hearty, high‑calorie meal on his social media, captioning it **“End of a schedule that I’ve worked immensely hard for… Cheat meal well earned.”**
- **Release countdown trigger**: The same post also unofficially kicked off the **one‑year countdown to the theatrical release**, effectively telling fans: “the hard work is done, the wait has officially begun.”

## Varanasi Cast & Character Snapshot

| Actor | Character | Role in the story |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Mahesh Babu** | Rudhra | A Shiva‑devotee‑turned‑bounty hunter who travels through time to retrieve an ancient cosmic artifact.  |
| **Priyanka Chopra Jonas** | Mandakini | A key figure in the time‑travel mystery; likely a mytho‑inspired counterpart or guide.  |
| **Prithviraj Sukumaran** | Kumbha | The main antagonist, a powerful, scheming mastermind trying to control the world using the same artifact Rudhra pursues.  |

## Why “Varanasi” Feels Like Rajamouli’s Next Era?

Beyond Prithviraj’s individual schedule, “Varanasi” is being constructed as a **post‑RRR, post‑Baahubali statement film**—one that leans into myth, history, and sci‑fi‑style time‑travel while keeping the director’s signature **slow‑motion spectacle and emotional grandeur** intact.

- **Myth meets mass**: The film is expected to weave elements from **Ramayana‑inspired episodes** and Shiva‑centric devotion into a global‑scale adventure, blurring the line between myth and cinematic myth‑making.
- **VFX‑heavy, IMAX‑ready**: Roughly **50% of the shooting** was reportedly completed by early 2026, with a major chunk devoted to the mythic‑level Ramayana‑linked scenes, which needed elaborate sets, crowd choreography, and later heavy VFX work.
- **Antagonist‑centric stakes**: With Prithviraj playing the primary villain, expectations are high for a **nuanced, performance‑driven negative lead**, not just a caricature, which could make this one of the most talked‑about Rajamouli hero‑villain dynamics in years.

## **FAQs**

### **Q: What character is Prithviraj Sukumaran playing in “Varanasi”?**

A: He plays **Kumbha**, the main antagonist and mastermind figure who opposes Mahesh Babu’s Rudhra in a cosmic‑level time‑travel adventure, making him one of the film’s core conflict engines.

### **Q: Why is the wrap‑up of his schedule such a big moment for fans?**

  
A: It marks the completion of a physically demanding, Rajamouli‑scale shoot for a top‑tier actor, and officially kicks off the **one‑year countdown to the April 7, 2027, theatrical release**, turning speculation into a real, countdown‑driven anticipation phase.