Director SS Rajamouli gave fans a special treat on August 9, 2026, as he shared two new stills from his upcoming film Varanasi to celebrate lead actor Mahesh Babu’s 51st birthday. The images, captured during the film’s Africa schedule, offer a proper look at Mahesh Babu’s character Rudhra in the middle of Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Mount Kilimanjaro.
The filmmaker, known for keeping project details under wraps, broke his silence with these exclusive images. The stills show Mahesh Babu in a rugged avatar with a beard and outdoor gear. One picture places him among zebras and giraffes in the African wilderness, while another shows him relaxing on a bamboo platform surrounded by dense greenery.
Rajamouli Describes Rudhra as Fierce and Vulnerable
Along with the images, Rajamouli offered a detailed description of Mahesh Babu’s character. He wrote, “Fierce isn’t his only shade” while sharing the pictures on social media.
The director explained what makes Rudhra different from typical action heroes. He said:
Rudhra was born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself. He carries a destiny he did not ask for. He is witty, he is vulnerable, and he is fierce. That is what Mahesh brought to him. Anyone can play fierce. Very few can play fierce and fragile in the same breath.
The Varanasi official handle also wished the actor, writing, “Another trip around the Sun… before we travel across time. Happy Birthday Rudhra”.
Priyanka Chopra Shares Birthday Wish for Co-Star
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who plays the female lead Mandakini in the film, also marked the occasion with a special post. She shared an unseen picture from the Varanasi sets on her Instagram Stories. The candid photo shows her sitting next to Mahesh Babu, apparently taken during the Africa shoot.
She wrote, “Happy Birthday Bob. Here’s to going on the ultimate adventure with #Varanasi!” This marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema after six years.
Filming in Africa Added Scale That No Set Could Match
Rajamouli spoke at length about the experience of shooting in Africa. The team filmed around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Maasai Mara, one of the world’s largest wildlife reserves.
The director admitted that the real locations gave them something impossible to recreate on a studio set. He said:
These frames are from our Africa schedule, and the land gave us something no set could. Shooting around Kilimanjaro and in the Maasai Mara, I was stunned. There were mornings I felt even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame could not hold what was in front of us.
The film is being shot entirely in IMAX format, making it the first non-English film to do so.
What We Know About Varanasi Story and Characters
Varanasi is a time-travel adventure linked to the Ramayana. Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, an archaeologist and explorer who must travel across the world and through time to recover an ancient cosmic artifact.
The official synopsis reveals that in the year 2027, a massive asteroid named Shambhavi threatens to collide with the holy city of Varanasi. Rudhra gets recruited for a high-stakes mission to find the artifact that could stop the disaster.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, a historian and skilled marksman who joins Rudhra on this dangerous journey. Prithviraj Sukumaran takes on the role of Kumbha, a tech-genius villain who pursues them across the globe.
The story takes the characters across Africa, Antarctica, and Europe. According to Rajamouli, the narrative begins in Varanasi, moves to Antarctica, then Africa, travels back in time to Ancient Rome, and finally returns to Varanasi.
Production Status and Release Date
The film has completed over 80 percent of its shooting. Rajamouli revealed that work on Varanasi began soon after RRR wrapped in 2022, and production has been ongoing for nearly four and a half years.
The biggest action sequences are already finished, with the remaining smaller scenes currently being filmed in Hyderabad. The team aims to wrap production before Dasara. Post-production is happening alongside filming, with completed sequences sent immediately to the visual effects team.
The film features music by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani, who previously worked with Rajamouli on RRR. Produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business, Varanasi is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.
The movie is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027, coinciding with the Ugadi festival. It will be released in Telugu along with dubbed versions in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and Kannada.
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Mahesh Babu’s Preparation for the Role
Mahesh Babu spent a year preparing for his role as Rudhra. He underwent three months of Kalari martial arts training solely to adjust his posture for the character’s period-appropriate bearing.
The actor also trained with a track and field team for several months to modify his running style. He previously told Variety, “The way I walked changed, the way I stood changed, everything changed”.
Also Read: SS Rajamouli Confirms Varanasi Will Be a Standalone Film, Not a Franchise
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