‘Baahubali’ Director SS Rajamouli’s New Film Creates a Storm with First Look Release

Following the immense success of RRR, the Oscar-winning film, SS Rajamouli is back with a highly anticipated new project. On Saturday, the director unveiled the first look of his new film Varanasi at a grand event in Hyderabad. The film stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles. Since the first look was revealed, the film has sparked widespread discussions on social media, with fans eager to see what Rajamouli has in store next.

Unveiling at Ramoji Film City
The excitement was palpable as Mahesh Babu’s fans filled Ramoji Film City, chanting, "Jai Babu, Jai Jai Babu!" The event commenced with a live performance of the song Sanchari, sung by Shruti Haasan. The song was composed by the Oscar-winning music director M.M. Keeravani, who also introduced the character of the film's primary antagonist, Kumbher, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. Priyanka Chopra will portray the character Mandakini, while Mahesh Babu plays Rudra.

A Timeless Epic
The film spans a vast narrative that stretches over a thousand years, covering both ancient and modern times. Rajamouli revealed that one of the film’s major scenes was inspired by a chapter from the epic Ramayana. He said, “Since my childhood, I’ve dreamt of making a film on the scale of Mahabharata, and this film was conceived with that vision. I’ve incorporated a significant pillar from the Ramayana in the story.”

Rajamouli shared his excitement about the film’s production, saying, “We shot for 60 days, and the research was meticulously planned. Every day presented a new challenge. I can confidently say this will be one of the most memorable films of my career, and one of the finest moments in Mahesh’s career as well.” He added that some portions of the film were shot in IMAX format, and these were showcased on a massive 100-foot LED screen at the event.

An Ambitious Project
Prithviraj Sukumaran expressed his belief that the film is one of the most ambitious projects in Indian cinema. "Rajamouli is once again raising the bar for Indian cinema, taking it to global heights — but this time, it will be even bigger and bolder," he said. Priyanka Chopra also lauded Rajamouli’s vision, stating, “He is the true visionary director who has taken Indian cinema to a global stage like no one else. I am grateful to him for casting me as Mandakini.”

Mahesh Babu shared his enthusiasm, stating, “I will make everyone proud, especially my director. The whole of India will be proud of this film.”

Global Release
The film is produced by Sree Durga Arts and Showing Business and is set for a global release in 2027. The excitement surrounding Varanasi is palpable, with fans and industry insiders eagerly awaiting what promises to be another groundbreaking cinematic achievement from Rajamouli.