Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has officially lifted the curtain on his highly anticipated action-adventure drama starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra. Titled Varanasi, the film was unveiled at a spectacular event held at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, on Saturday, marking one of the biggest announcements of the year.
Previously known under the working title Globe Trotter, the film also features Prithviraj Sukumaran in a crucial role. The event witnessed the presence of the star cast alongside the visionary filmmaker, celebrating what promises to be one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious offerings.
SS RAJAMOULI’S #Varanasi 🔥
https://t.co/8EdgOzbecY— AB George (@AbGeorge_) November 15, 2025
A First for Rajamouli & Mahesh Babu
Varanasi marks the first-ever collaboration between Rajamouli and Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu. The film also brings Rajamouli and Prithviraj together for the first time, heightening anticipation around the project.
Production began in April, with major sequences shot across Kenya and the breathtaking Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh. The film also marks Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s return to Indian cinema after her 2019 release The Sky Is Pink.
A Fierce Priyanka & A Formidable Prithviraj
Ahead of the title reveal, the makers dropped striking first-look posters of Priyanka and Prithviraj. Priyanka’s look introduces her as Mandakini, a powerful femme fatale clad in a yellow sari, seen leaping into action across a fiery battleground with a gun in hand. Prithviraj transforms into the menacing Kumbha, the film’s imposing antagonist—strategic, ruthless, and ready to take on Mahesh Babu’s character.
Mahesh Babu’s Majestic First Look
The official concept video revealed during the event showcased a never-seen-before avatar of Mahesh Babu. Sporting long hair and a rugged beard, the superstar is seen wielding a Trishul, riding a white bull, and striding through sands with an ancient city looming behind him.
The makers also teased the film’s unique narrative elements through hashtags such as #GlobeTrotter and #TimeTrotter, hinting that the story spans across locations and timelines, positioning Mahesh as not just an adventurer but a possible time traveler.
Event Streamed Worldwide
The title reveal and concept showcase were streamed live as part of the Globetrotter Event on JioHotstar, offering fans a lavish glimpse into Rajamouli’s expansive new world. Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Rajamouli were all present during the grand reveal.
Release Timeline & Scale
Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on March 25, 2027. Filming is expected to continue through 2026, making it one of the most elaborate productions mounted by the director.
Initially conceived as a two-part saga, the makers reportedly decided to release it as a single full-length film, focusing all its narrative heft into one monumental cinematic experience.
Packed with globe-trotting adventure, time-defying elements, powerful performances, and Rajamouli’s signature scale, Varanasi is already being hailed as a potential game-changer for Indian cinema.