The excitement surrounding one of the most anticipated collaborations in global cinema has hit a fever pitch. Marking the birthday of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, the makers of the upcoming epic action-adventure Varanasi treated fans to an early visual gift. The production team officially unveiled two striking new stills from their extensive African schedule, offering the world its clearest and most immersive glimpse yet of Mahesh Babu in character as Rudhra.
The newly released frames showcase Mahesh Babu in a rugged, adventurous avatar set against the raw, untamed wilderness of the African continent. One still features the actor resting amidst a sprawling landscape with his travel gear close by, while the other captures a close-up profile of Rudhra framed against open plains dotted with wildlife.
Opening up about the character and the star’s nuanced performance, visionary director SS Rajamouli shared profound insights into what drives the protagonist.
“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,” Rajamouli noted. “Anyone can play fierce. Very few can play fierce and fragile in the same breath.”
Reflecting on the scale of filming on location, Rajamouli emphasized that no studio set could ever replicate the raw authenticity captured by shooting across iconic international terrains.
The production team took cameras deep into the heart of nature, filming extensive sequences around Mount Kilimanjaro and the sprawling expanse of the Maasai Mara. Captivated by the sheer magnitude of the location, Rajamouli admitted:
“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 when I felt even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame could not hold what was in front of us.”
Varanasi continues to shape up as a monumental cinematic milestone. Directed by SS Rajamouli and backed by stellar musical compositions from Academy Award-winning composer MM Keeravani, the film boasts a massive pan-Indian and global ensemble. Alongside Mahesh Babu, the film features Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles.
Jointly produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business, the globetrotting adventure is being shot natively to leverage the immersive power of large-format screens. With major portions spanning continents and historical epochs, Varanasi is officially locked for a grand worldwide theatrical release in IMAX on April 7, 2027.
By: Bollyo
