Ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli is working on his next grand project, ‘Varanasi,’ with Tollywood superstar Mahesh Babu in the lead. The film is currently in production. As Mahesh Babu is celebrating his birthday today, makers shared two new stills from the film.
‘Varanasi’ makers share new stills
The pictures feature Mahesh Babu in a relaxed look as Rudhra. The new pictures were captured during the Africa schedule of ‘Varanasi’. The team shot parts of the film around Kilimanjaro and the Maasai Mara.The caption shared on Mahesh Babu’s post read: “Rudhra was born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself. He carries a destiny he did not ask for. He is witty, he is vulnerable, and he is fierce. That is what Mahesh brought to him. Anyone can play fierce. Very few can play fierce and fragile in the same breath. These frames are from our Africa schedule, and the land gave us something no set could. Shooting around Kilimanjaro and in the Masai Mara, I was stunned. There were mornings I felt even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame could not hold what was in front of us.”SS Rajamouli also shared the stills and wrote, “Fierce isn’t his only shade…RUDHRA in #Varanasi. @urstrulyMahesh”.The official handle of the film added, “Another trip around the Sun… before we travel across time. Happy Birthday Rudhra.”
Cast of ‘Varanasi’
Global icon Priyanka Chopra also plays the female lead as Mandakini. Earlier on her birthday, July 18, the makers also shared new stills of her from the film. One picture includes a fierce look of her and another seems to be a still from the Africa sets.The film also features Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha, the main antagonist.
‘Varanasi’ plot
Recently, the synopsis of SS Rajamouli’s film revealed that Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, an archaeologist and explorer.His character gets a major responsibility when the world faces a serious threat from a massive asteroid named Shambhavi.He has to travel across different parts of the world to find an ancient cosmic artifact. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, a historian and skilled marksman who joins Rudhra on the dangerous mission. Meanwhile, Prithviraj Sukumaran is described as a tech genius and the main villain of the film.The film is currently in production and aimed to be wrapped by October 2026.The music is composed by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani. It is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 7, 2027.
