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

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.

“Varanasi” And Prithviraj’s Role

What “Wrapping A Schedule” Means For Prithviraj

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

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