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

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

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.