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

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’s Film Details: What You Need to Know

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.”

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