The Indus Zone Tech Desk | Published: Nov 15, 2025 | Varanasi Trailer: Mahesh Babu’s Fierce First Look as Rudhra
At a spectacular event in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, director SS Rajamouli finally revealed the title and first visual from his much-awaited film. The project, earlier known as SSMB29 or GlobeTrotter, has officially been titled “Varanasi.”
Thousands of fans from India and across the world gathered for the massive celebration, while many others watched the live stream on JioHotstar and Variety. The evening became even more special with the presence of lead actors Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, along with a powerful stage performance by Shruti Haasan.
Mahesh Babu as Rudhra: First Look Creates a Storm
The biggest highlight of the night was Mahesh Babu’s intense transformation for the role of Rudhra.
In the reveal video, Mahesh appears blood-soaked, gripping a trishul, and riding a bull, with ancient temple structures glowing behind him. His powerful look instantly electrified the crowd and social media.
Fans had been eagerly waiting to know whether the title would be Varanasi or Sanchari—and Rajamouli ended the suspense with a giant LED cinematic showcase.
To match the film’s global theme, each fan attending the event was given a “passport pass”. Several fan groups even conducted bike rallies on their way to the venue, celebrating the announcement in true Tollywood style.
A Film Spanning Centuries and Continents
The announcement video offered a thrilling glimpse into the film’s scale.
The story begins with an asteroid crashing into Earth, scattering debris across Varanasi, Antarctica, Africa, and several other locations. The visuals also feature warriors from different time periods, hinting at a narrative that stretches across centuries.
Hashtags like #GlobeTrotter and #TimeTrotter strongly indicate that Varanasi will explore time travel, a theme rarely attempted at this scale in Indian cinema.
Cast, Characters, and What We Know So Far
Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, a fierce warrior whose journey seems tied to cosmic events.
Priyanka Chopra stars as Mandakini.
Prithviraj Sukumaran appears as the main antagonist, Kumbha.
Their first looks were released earlier, building strong curiosity around the film’s world.
Rajamouli is known for keeping story details secret, and despite the film’s puja being held in January, the team avoided any official plot reveal. However, several shooting leaks from Kenya, Odisha, and Hyderabad kept fans speculating throughout the year.
After RRR’s Global Success, Expectations Skyrocket
Varanasi marks Rajamouli’s next theatrical release after the global blockbuster RRR, which brought home an Oscar for the iconic song “Naatu Naatu”. Naturally, fans and international media are watching every update from his upcoming project closely.
With its mythological undertones, massive world-building, and a star cast led by Mahesh Babu, Varanasi is already being called one of India’s biggest films in the making.
The film is expected to release in 2027, and if the first glimpse is any indication, audiences can expect a visually stunning, genre-bending experience.
