Two new character images from director S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming film “Varanasi” were unveiled on Mahesh Babu’s birthday, providing a first look at the actor’s appearance in the production. The stills were captured during filming at Kilimanjaro and Maasai Mara locations in Africa. One image depicts Babu reclining on a bamboo raft in jungle terrain, wearing an olive-colored shirt and dark cargo pants with curled hair and a full beard. The second still shows him in profile against the African savannah landscape, with giraffes and zebras visible in the background.
Babu takes on the dual roles of protagonist Rudhra and Hindu deity Rama in the production. Rajamouli provided commentary on the character’s complexity, stating that Rudhra carries a large destiny while being characterized by wit, vulnerability, and fierceness. The director also described the African shoot locations as providing visual elements that challenged the capabilities of the IMAX filming format used for the project.
The film features a sprawling narrative spanning thousands of years across multiple continents, including Antarctica, Africa, and the Indian city of Varanasi. Priyanka Chopra Jonas portrays a character named Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the main antagonist Kumbha. Babu spent an extended preparation period for the role, including three months of Kalari martial arts training to develop period-appropriate posture and several months working with a track and field team to modify his movement and running style.
“Varanasi” serves as Rajamouli’s follow-up to the Academy Award-winning “RRR.” Composer M.M. Keeravani, who won an Oscar for “RRR’s” musical composition, is returning to score the new film. The production is scheduled for theatrical release worldwide on April 7, 2027.
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