Buzz: Rajamouli Focusing On Rudra & Mandakini

Legendary filmmaker SS Rajamouli and Superstar Mahesh Babu’s upcoming film Varanasi is shaping up to be a massive project. After the glimpse from the movie was released last year, the expectations around the film shot up big time. The film is currently being shot in Hyderabad, where a special set has been erected for key sequences, and here comes the speciality of this part now.

Apparently, Bollywood heartthrob Priyanka Chopra is playing a strong action-oriented character named Mandakini, while Mahesh Babu is appearing in dual roles as Rudra and Lord Rama. At the moment, scenes involving Rudra and Mandakini are being filmed, along with Prithviraj Sukumaran in a crucial role. After focusing a lot on action sequences earlier, now Rajamouli is said to be bringing out those teasing and playful scenes between Rudra and Mandakini, in the Varanasi backdrop set erected in Hyderabad.

If you look at Rajamouli’s previous films like RRR and Baahubali, the focus has always been on scale combined with strong storytelling. And, the combination of Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu and a global face like Priyanka Chopra adds huge value. On the other hand, handling such a massive budget and delivering beyond expectations is always a challenge, but Rajamouli is the one who always delivers.

Bankrolled by KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya, with music by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani, Varanasi is set to hit cinemas on April 7, 2027.