Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli releases new character stills from his upcoming film “Varanasi,” featuring Mahesh Babu as Rudhra. The images show Babu’s character on an Africa schedule, with the announcement timed to the actor’s birthday.
Both outlets say the film includes additional major characters, with Priyanka Chopra playing Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran cast as the antagonist. Variety adds that the story spans thousands of years and moves across multiple locations, citing settings that include Antarctica, Africa, and the titular city of Varanasi. Times of India describes the plot as centering on an archaeologist who discovers a cosmic artifact intended to help save the world. Times of India also notes Rudhra is portrayed as “witty, vulnerable and fierce.”
The outlets align on the release of the two stills and the core casting, while they differ mainly in emphasis—Times of India highlights the character description and specific plot summary, while Variety focuses more on the film’s long timeline and global geography. “Varanasi” is scheduled for a worldwide release in April 2027.
