# Why Priyanka Chopra Jonas Thinks Varanasi Will Be Her Most Important Film Yet

URL: https://technosports.co.in/why-priyanka-chopra-jonas-thinks-varanasi/  
Published: 2026-02-19  
Updated: 2026-02-19  
Author: Reetam Bodhak

The buzz around SS Rajamouli’s *Varanasi* just got louder — and this time, it’s coming straight from its Hollywood star. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who co-leads the epic alongside Mahesh Babu, called the film “career-defining” at the premiere of her upcoming Amazon Prime Video thriller *The Bluff*. She also didn’t hold back on praising the director: “He is one of the best that we have in India.”

Coming from a global icon like PeeCee, that’s not a throwaway compliment. That’s a statement.

## Varanasi: Everything You Need to Know at a Glance

| Detail | Info |
| --- | --- |
| **Film Title** | Varanasi |
| **Director** | SS Rajamouli |
| **Lead Actor** | Mahesh Babu (as Rudhra) |
| **Co-lead** | Priyanka Chopra Jonas (as Mandakini) |
| **Antagonist** | Prithviraj Sukumaran (as Kumbha) |
| **Release Date** | April 7, 2027 |
| **Runtime** | ~3 Hours (Single Film, Not Two Parts) |
| **Shoot Completion** | Expected by June 2026 |
| **Genre** | Epic Adventure / Action |

## What Makes This Film Different?

Rajamouli — the visionary behind [RRR and the Baahubali franchise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S._S._Rajamouli) — is known for films that redefine Indian cinema’s global ceiling. *Varanasi* follows Mahesh Babu’s character Rudhra, a globe-trotting, time-traveling adventurer. Mahesh Babu will also reportedly appear as Lord Rama in one of the film’s mythological episodes — a detail that has fans already losing their minds.

![Priyanka Chopra Jonas](https://technosports.co.in/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-1181.png)

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays a futuristic supervillain named Kumbha, seen in a striking first-look poster in a high-tech wheelchair. The casting alone signals this is no ordinary masala entertainer.

For more on Rajamouli’s upcoming vision, check out our detailed breakdown of [Varanasi’s latest updates on TechnoSports](https://technosports.co.in).

As of late 2025, around 50% of the film’s shoot had been completed. With a June 2026 wrap expected, the April 2027 release window feels both ambitious and very real.

## Priyanka Chopra’s Bollywood Return — And Why It Matters

PeeCee heading back to Indian cinema under Rajamouli’s direction is a full-circle moment for millions of fans. Her character Mandakini is described as a femme fatale — and if the first-look poster is anything to go by, she’s bringing fire to every frame.

Meanwhile, catch her first in *The Bluff*, a 19th-century pirate action thriller hitting [Amazon Prime Video on February 25, 2026](https://technosports.co.in).

## FAQs

### **Q: When is Varanasi releasing?**

SS Rajamouli’s *Varanasi* starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas is officially set for release on **April 7, 2027**. It will be a single film with a runtime of approximately 3 hours.

### **Q: What is Priyanka Chopra’s role in Varanasi?**

  
Priyanka plays **Mandakini**, a femme fatale, and has called the film a “career-defining” project, praising director SS Rajamouli as one of the best filmmakers in India.