“Varanasi” is one of the most talked-about Indian movies of the decade. It combines the blockbuster vision of S. S. Rajamouli with the star power of Mahesh Babu in a mythological adventure that has never been seen before. The film was announced at a huge global reveal event. It promises a wonderful cinematic experience with time travel, ancient Indian mythology, and grand world-building. “Varanasi Movies” stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in powerful roles. It will change the way Indian movies are made with IMAX-style visuals, huge action scenes, and a story based on the spiritual history of India’s holiest city. Fans are calling it Rajamouli’s most ambitious film ever, and it could be one of the biggest films in Indian history as excitement builds.
Table of Contents
What Is Varanasi (the Movie)?
Basic Info
- S. S. Rajamouli is directing the upcoming Indian action-adventure movie Varanasi.
- Language: Telugu (and probably dubbed or released in other major Indian languages).
- o Producer: K.L. Narayana (and S. S. Karthikeya according to some sources)
- Studio: Sri Durga
Varanasi Movie Casts
- Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, the main hero.
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini.
- Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Kumbha, who looks like an enemy.
Varanasi Movie Crew & Technical Team
- Music: M. M. Keeravani, who has worked with Rajamouli before.
- V. Srinivas Mohan is responsible for the visual effects.
- P. S. Vinod did the cinematography.
- Tammiraju did the editing.
Varanasi Movie Budget, Scale and Format
- This movie has a very high budget. One source says the budget is about ₹1,200 crore.
- It will be shot or at least set up for IMAX or Premium Large Scale Format, which means very big pictures.
- Rajamouli says it’s one of the first Indian movies that was planned “correctly” for IMAX.
Plot / Premise
- The movie is expected to have different timelines, mixing time travel and mythology.
- One part of the story is based on a “chapter from the Ramayana.”
- The synopsis says that Rudhra (Mahesh Babu) is an explorer on a quest. He is tied to a magical plant that is linked to Varanasi’s spiritual past.
- There are hints of old wars, references to myths, and maybe even going back in time to mythical times.
Varanasi Movie First Look/Teaser
- On November 15, 2025, the title of the movie was announced at a big event called the “GlobeTrotter event” held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad
- In the teaser/first look, Mahesh Babu (Rudhra) rides a bull with a beard and a trident (trishul).
- In her first look, Priyanka Chopra’s character (Mandakini) is shown with a gun and standing on a cliff.
- Rajamouli said that words couldn’t describe how big the story was, so they used a video to show it instead.
Varanasi Movie Release Date
- Some reports say that the movie will come out on March 25, 2027, which is also Good Friday.
- It is said to have a worldwide or pan-India release
Varanasi Movie Themes & Significance
- It’s being sold as a mythological adventure that mixes exploration, time travel, and ancient Indian mythology.
- The choice of “Varanasi” (the city) is symbolic because it is one of the most spiritually important cities in India and is closely linked to Hindu beliefs about life, death, and redemption. In this context, this could have something to do with how the movie might look at spiritual or mythic heritage.
- Rajamouli stressed that the movie was a “once-in-a-lifetime” goal.
Why This Movie Is Significant/Newsworthy
- Rajamouli’s Scale and Vision: Rajamouli is known for making big, epic movies like Baahubali and RRR. With the Varanasi movie, he seems to be going even bigger: time travel, myth, historical scale, and IMAX.
- Star Power: Mahesh Babu is a big star in Telugu. It’s a big deal to put him with Rajamouli. Priyanka Chopra Jonas makes the show more appealing to people from all over India and even the world.
- Myth + Adventure: Indian mythology and modern blockbuster adventure make for a very popular and powerful mix. It appeals to both large groups of people (for the spectacle) and smaller groups of people (for the depth of the mythology).
- Technological Ambition: Shooting “for” IMAX or PLF suggests a very cinematic experience, not just a regular digital movie.
- Time Travel Element: This is not very common in mainstream Indian movies, especially ones based on myths, so it could be a unique way to tell a story.
Risks / Challenges / Unknowns
- Story Risk: It’s a big deal to mix time travel and mythology. It might be hard to find a balance between respecting myths and entertaining a lot of people.
- Risk to the Budget: A ₹1,200 crore budget is huge, so expectations for the box office will be very high.
- Audience Reception: Rajamouli has a good track record, but if the story or VFX let people down, they might say that the movie is more about style than substance.
- Technical Risk: High VFX and IMAX requirements could make production and post-production very hard and expensive.
Conclusion
- “Varanasi Movie” is a mix of mythology, technology, and cinematic brilliance that promises an experience that goes far beyond normal storytelling. The movie is already getting a lot of attention because Rajamouli is creating a world that spans timelines, and Mahesh Babu is playing one of the most powerful roles of his career. With Priyanka Chopra’s international appeal and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s intensity, “Varanasi” is going to be a huge hit around the world.
- Everyone is looking forward to this epic story that could change the way Indian movies are made as the release date gets closer. If the first reactions are any indication, “Varanasi” could be more than just a movie; it could be an event that changes the way Indian movies are made in the future.”
