Rajamouli Says Mahesh Babu “Nailed” Varanasi

When a director known for epic scale says an actor exceeded his expectations, people pay attention. SS Rajamouli has now said exactly that about Mahesh Babu in Varanasi. He also shared an honest view on how Indian cinema has handled mythology. Here’s a quick breakdown, based on Pinkvilla’s report.

Varanasi: Overview

Detail	Info
Film	Varanasi
Genre	Action adventure
Director	SS Rajamouli
Lead cast	Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Priyanka Chopra Jonas
Mahesh Babu’s role	Rudhra
Release date	April 7, 2027
Significance	First Mahesh Babu-Rajamouli collaboration

What Rajamouli Said About Mahesh Babu?

Speaking at a university in the United States, Rajamouli said he expected full commitment from Mahesh Babu, since he knows what the actor can do. Once they started working together, Mahesh went well beyond that. Rajamouli described him as giving double what was expected and said the actor nailed the character of Rudhra and surprised him with how much he brought to it. He called the experience a special one.

What He Said About Mythology on Screen?

On the Empire Film Podcast, Rajamouli said he was never fully satisfied with how Indian films have presented epics. He hopes Varanasi will bring these legendary stories to life on a grand scale. Coming from the director of RRR, that suggests Varanasi will lean on myth as well as spectacle.

The Story, Explained

Varanasi is set against a global crisis. A massive asteroid named Shambhavi threatens the city of Varanasi, and the film builds its adventure around that threat.

Rudhra (Mahesh Babu): A rugged archaeologist and explorer recruited for a high-stakes mission to recover an ancient cosmic artefact.

Mandakini: A fearless historian and skilled marksman who joins him. The report doesn’t name who plays her. Priyanka Chopra Jonas is listed as the female lead.

Kumbha: A technologically advanced antagonist who pursues them. Prithviraj Sukumaran is part of the cast, and Mahesh Babu and Rajamouli wished him on his 44th birthday with a Kumbha-related message.

The mission: It takes them through the jungles of Africa, the icy landscapes of Antarctica and locations across Europe. The key to preventing a future catastrophe lies in Varanasi’s mythical past.

Production Status

Update	Status
Release date	April 7, 2027
Mahesh Babu’s portions	Reportedly completed
Original wrap target	October 2026
Production notes	Heavy visual effects, multiple shooting schedules
Recent update	Behind-the-scenes pictures of Prithviraj Sukumaran released for his birthday

Why It Matters?

This is the first time Mahesh Babu and Rajamouli are working together, which is why the film has so much attention. Pairing a global adventure with Indian mythology could set it apart from other big action films.

To read more about the director’s career, see his Wikipedia profile. For more South cinema updates, keep exploring Technosports.