Hyderabad witnessed a landmark cinematic celebration as SS Rajamouli unveiled the title teaser of his upcoming epic Varanasi at Ramoji Film City. More than fifty thousand fans and media representatives from across India and abroad gathered for the launch, staged on a recreated version of Varanasi’s Manikarnika Ghat. A colossal 110-by-130-foot LED screen, powered by 45 generators, formed the centrepiece of the setup. The crowd erupted in chants of “Jai Babu, Jai Jai Babu” when Mahesh Babu, who plays Rudra, appeared in the teaser riding a white bull and holding a trident, evoking strong mythological imagery.
The teaser presents an expansive world that spans continents and eras. It opens in Varanasi circa 512 CE, capturing an ancient yet vibrant civilisation, before shifting to the dramatic impact of an asteroid named “Shambhavi” crashing into Antarctica and revealing a buried city. Snowy mountain ranges, dense forests, sweeping landscapes, and large-scale VFX environments suggest a story that crosses time periods and explores mythic themes with global sweep. Early viewers have noted parallels to episodes from the Ramayana, though the film maintains an original narrative. M. M. Keeravani’s intense background score adds emotional heft to Rajamouli’s vision.
Addressing the audience, Rajamouli said Varanasi was a dream rooted in his childhood fascination with the Ramayana and Mahabharata. He admitted he once doubted whether Mahesh Babu could portray a character with the serenity of Rama, but said all hesitation vanished the moment he saw him in costume. He added that around 60 days of shooting have been completed, each schedule pushing creative and technical boundaries.
Mahesh Babu called the moment deeply emotional, sharing that his late father, the iconic Krishna, had always dreamed of seeing him in a mythological role. He described Varanasi as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and promised to give the film everything he has, expressing confidence that the nation would be proud of the final result.
Priyanka Chopra, who plays Mandakini, praised Rajamouli as a “visionary” who elevated Indian cinema on the global stage. She thanked him for trusting her with a role she described as one of her personal favourites and recalled how warmly Mahesh Babu’s family welcomed her in Hyderabad. She also playfully remarked that Prithviraj Sukumaran, who plays the antagonist Kumbha, appears terrifying on screen but is the opposite in person.
Prithviraj said he was “blown away” minutes into hearing the film’s story and compared the experience to discovering a new edition of a beloved comic book. Calling the role emotionally and physically demanding, he joked about Rajamouli’s “torturous” shooting process but admitted he cherished every moment. He praised Mahesh Babu, saying, “You deserve this film, and this film deserves you.”
Produced by K. L. Narayana (Sri Durga Arts) and SS Karthikeya (Showing Business), with story and screenplay by Vijayendra Prasad, Varanasi is set for a 2027 release. It will introduce a premium full-screen IMAX format to Telugu cinema, marking yet another milestone in Rajamouli’s career.