On actor Mahesh Babu’s birthday, fans were eagerly waiting for a video glimpse or teaser from his upcoming movie, Varanasi. Instead, the filmmakers surprised everyone by releasing two exclusive pictures of the star from the movie.
Mahesh Babu as Rudhra
In these new pictures, Mahesh Babu is seen in a relaxed avatar playing the character named Rudhra.
Director SS Rajamouli shared details about Rudhra’s character, describing him as a person born to fulfill a massive purpose that is far bigger than himself, carrying a destiny he never asked for. Rajamouli praised Mahesh Babu for perfectly balancing strength and fragility in his performance, while highlighting the character’s wit, vulnerability, and fierceness.
Epic Shooting Locations in Africa
The newly released pictures were shot during the film’s Africa schedule. The team filmed near scenic locations such as Kilimanjaro and the Maasai Mara. Rajamouli mentioned that these vast landscapes offered an incredible scale that even the movie’s 1.43:1 IMAX frame could barely contain.
Similar Strategy for Cast Updates
This is not the first time the filmmakers have chosen picture stills over video teasers. They followed a similar strategy on co-star Priyanka Chopra Jonas‘s birthday by releasing exclusive pictures instead of a video glimpse. Although fans hoped for a video this time, the impressive new stills have raised excitement for the movie even higher.
Cast, Crew, and Release Details
- Movie Title:Varanasi
- Lead Actor: Mahesh Babu (playing Rudhra)
- Co-stars: Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Director: SS Rajamouli
- Producers: KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya
- Music Composer: Oscar winner MM Keeravani
- Release Date: April 7, 2027