# Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Grueling 90+ Takes with Mahesh Babu in Varanasi: SS Rajamouli’s Obsession for Perfection

URL: https://technosports.co.in/prithviraj-sukumarans-grueling-90-takes/  
Published: 2026-06-25  
Updated: 2026-06-25  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

Perfectionism has a price, and Prithviraj Sukumaran just unveiled the behind-the-scenes cost of working with SS Rajamouli on the much-anticipated epic **Varanasi**. In a candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter India, the actor revealed the grueling production journey that demanded multiple retakes for a single shot.

## The Varanasi Ordeal: What Prithviraj Revealed

**The Numbers That Stunned Hollywood**

Prithviraj Sukumaran recalled performing more than 90 takes alongside Mahesh Babu for a single shot because SS Rajamouli wasn’t satisfied with the outcome. This wasn’t a quick morning shoot—the actor recounted how the pair filmed for hours, took a lunch break, only to be called back immediately to continue the same sequence until 6:30 or 7 PM. Incredibly, even after this marathon session, the director requested they return the next day to film it again.

“I’m not sure whether it was take 94 or 97,” Sukumaran admitted with a wry smile, capturing the intensity of Rajamouli’s legendary attention to detail.

![Prithviraj Sukumaran](https://images.technosports.co.in/2026/06/pristyststts-1024x576.webp)

## Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Film Details: What You Need to Know

| **Aspect** | **Details** |
| --- | --- |
| **Title** | Varanasi |
| **Director** | SS Rajamouli |
| **Lead Actors** | Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran |
| **Supporting Cast** | Priyanka Chopra Jonas |
| **Genre** | Epic Time-Travel Adventure |
| **Release Date** | April 7, 2027 |
| **Production Status** | Post-production |

## Why This Matters: The Rajamouli Effect

SS Rajamouli isn’t just any director—he’s the visionary behind **RRR** and **Baahubali**, both global phenomena. His obsessive filmmaking approach has become industry legend. However, seeing Sukumaran’s account puts it in sharper perspective: this isn’t ego; it’s an uncompromising pursuit of cinema that transcends languages and borders.

For Mahesh Babu, known for his polished Telugu cinema career, this collaboration marks a significant crossover moment. For Prithviraj, it’s further evidence of his ability to navigate massive, high-budget Indian productions while maintaining Malayalam cinema roots.

## The Malayalam Cinema Mission

Beyond Varanasi’s brutal production anecdotes, Sukumaran championed Malayalam cinema in the same interview. He announced **Odiyan** with Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions—marking the production house’s Malayalam debut. His message to producers entering Malayalam cinema was crystal clear: “change nothing, and learn a lot of things.”

Interested in Tamil, Telugu, and Kannada film updates? [Catch exclusive coverage on Technosports](https://www.technosports.co.in) for more behind-the-scenes stories from South Indian cinema.

## FAQs

### **Q1: Why does SS Rajamouli demand so many takes?**

 Rajamouli’s filmmaking philosophy prioritizes perfection in every frame, ensuring that visual storytelling remains flawless regardless of production budgets or timelines.

### **Q2: How does this 90-take story compare to other directors’ standards?**

While multiple takes are industry norm, exceeding 90 for a single sequence is exceptionally rare, even in [globally acclaimed film productions](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_production), showcasing Rajamouli’s legendary dedication to his craft.