‘Varanasi’: SS Rajamouli unveils time-travel epic with Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran at spectacular Hyderabad launch
By Ayush Sachan
Director S.S. Rajamouli, the mastermind behind the blockbuster films RRR and the Baahubali franchise, unveiled his latest cinematic endeavor, Varanasi, at a grand fan event held in Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City on Saturday. Thousands of fans gathered to witness the first glimpse of what Rajamouli describes as one of his most ambitious projects yet.
Varanasi, a long-awaited project under the codename “Globetrotter,” promises a captivating time-travel adventure deeply rooted in Hindu mythology. Rajamouli, the filmmaker, revealed that one significant sequence draws inspiration from a pivotal episode in the Ramayana. He expressed surprise at the rapid pace at which he was able to tackle such material. During the writing process, he described the experience as surreal, likening it to floating. He also mentioned that the 60-day shoot for this sequence was among the most challenging projects he has ever undertaken.
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, collaborating with Rajamouli for the first time, stars in the film. His grand entrance at the event, riding a mechanical white bull, mirrored his fierce on-screen debut as a blood-streaked warrior wielding a trident. Babu expressed his excitement, stating, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime project. I will make everyone proud, and the entire nation will be proud of us.”
The event itself mirrored the director’s signature grandeur. A colossal 110-by-130-foot LED screen, flanked by replicas of Varanasi’s ghats, displayed the film’s inaugural teaser. However, Rajamouli acknowledged that a drone leak had disrupted the test runs the previous day. Fireworks, music performances, and enthusiastic fan chants, including a viral moment where Babu’s daughter Sitara enthusiastically cheered “Jai Babu,” transformed the unveiling into a mini-festival of its own.
Varanasi, projected for a 2027 release and set for IMAX exhibition, follows a global hero who confronts mythical forces across continents.