The shroud of secrecy around director S.S. Rajamouli’s next cinematic spectacle has finally lifted. At a massive “GlobeTrotter” event held at Ramoji Film City, the filmmaker officially announced the title of the film, formerly codenamed SSMB29, as Varanasi.
The title, which pays homage to India’s spiritual heart, was unveiled alongside a powerful teaser that has already sent expectations soaring for the movie, which is being mounted on an unprecedented scale with a reported budget of over ₹1000 crore.
Mahesh Babu as the Fierce ‘Rudhra’
The highlight of the launch was the first look of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, who plays the lead character, Rudhra.
- Teaser Visuals: The teaser showed Mahesh Babu in a fierce, blood-stained avatar, wielding a trishul (trident) and riding a bull—a direct visual reference to Lord Shiva and Nandi, hinting at the film’s strong mythological and spiritual undertones.
- Time-Travel Epic: The glimpse revealed the film will be a time-travel adventure, with snippets showing various timelines, including 512 CE Varanasi and 7200 BCE Trethayuga Lanka, alongside modern locations like Antarctica. The closing credits featured the hash-tags #GlobeTrotter and #TimeTrotter.
Mahesh Babu, who made a show-stopping entrance on a mechanical bull, thanked the audience. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime project,” he said. “I will make everyone proud. The whole of India will be proud of us.”
Priyanka Chopra as ‘Mandakini’
Global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas amplified the hype around her return to Indian cinema by sharing a teaser snippet on social media, describing it as “just a glimpse yet so much more.”
- Priyanka’s Role: Chopra plays the character Mandakini. Her recently unveiled first-look poster showcased her in a traditional mustard saree, poised on a cliffside while holding a pistol, hinting at a fierce, action-driven role.
- The Ensemble: The film also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as the villain, Kumbha, who was revealed earlier in a poster showing him in a wheelchair fitted with cybernetic arms.
Rajamouli, who has often spoken about the influence of the Ramayana on his work, revealed that a major sequence in Varanasi is inspired by the epic. The film, which features music by Oscar-winner M.M. Keeravaani, is slated for a Summer 2027 release in IMAX format.