The independent Varanasi movie desk
Sharp updates, clearly labelled rumours, and the details worth knowing about S.S. Rajamouli's next big-world adventure with Mahesh Babu — in one place, with the source always attached.
CastToday's lead
OTT Updates, OTT reports that Prithviraj Sukumaran’s upcoming Malayalam action crime thriller Khalifa is gearing up for a grand theatrical release on August 20, 2026, during the… The post Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Khalifa Gets U/A Certificate first appeared on Latest Telugu cinema news | Movie reviews
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The news desk
CastThe Hindu reports that The film, directed by Nahas Hidhayath, was slated to clash with Vysakh’s ‘Khalifa’ starring Prithviraj Sukumaran and Girish AD’s ‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ headlined by Nivin Pauly. This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below fo
ProductionNews, Reviews & Daily Entertainment reports that Rajamouli has been promoting his upcoming film “Varanasi” for the past year, even as the shooting is still underway. According to our reliable sources, the filmmaker is betting big on two key international markets beyond the traditional North American
CastIMDb reports: “'Varanasi': SS Rajamouli Marks Mahesh Babu's Birthday With Actor's Look As 'Rudhra'.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
Castnewindianexpress.com reports: “Mahesh Babu’s new looks from Varanasi unveiled on actor’s birthday.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
NewsThe Times of India reports: “SS Rajamouli reveals ‘Varanasi’ is shot entirely with IMAX-certified digital cameras: ‘We’ve shot about 8.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastThe Times of India reports: “‘Varanasi’: Mahesh Babu’s Lord Rama sequence in the SS Rajamouli directorial to focus on epic battle with.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastIMDb reports: “Mahesh Babu’s Look in S.S. Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’ Unveiled.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
NewsNDTV reports: “Ramayana, Varanasi, The Odyssey: Is India Ready For The IMAX Revolution?.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
NewsGulf News reports: “Rajamouli says Masai Mara was so vast even the ‘Varanasi’ IMAX frame felt too small.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastThe Hindu reports: “‘Varanasi’: Mahesh Babu's look as Rudhra from SS Rajamouli's magnum opus unveiled.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastNDTV reports: “On Mahesh Babu's 51st Birthday, Priyanka Chopra Shares Unseen Photo From Varanasi Sets.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastIMDb reports: “Rajamouli Unveils New Mahesh Babu Look From ‘Varanasi’.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastRediff reports: “Rajamouli releases first look poster of Mahesh Babu in 'Varanasi'.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastThe Times of India reports: “Mahesh Babu birthday: Namrata Shirodkar shares loved-up family picture as SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’ unvei.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
Castvariety.com reports: “Mahesh Babu’s Look in S.S. Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’ Unveiled.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastThe Economic Times reports: “Varanasi movie update: Mahesh Babu’s first look as Rudra wins hearts. SS Rajamouli’s movie plot goes viral.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastHindustan Times reports: “Mahesh Babu lounges in Africa in unseen pics from Rajamouli's Varanasi, unimpressed internet calls it 'Mountain Dew ad' | Hindustan Times.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastIndia Today reports: “Mahesh Babu's look as Rudra from Rajamouli's Varanasi unveiled on birthday.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastThe Times of India reports: “Mahesh Babu birthday: SS Rajamouli unveils new ‘Varanasi’ stills, say Rudhra is ‘witty, vulnerable and fi.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
CastThe Times of India reports: “SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’ synopsis revealed: Mahesh Babu’s Rudhra faces asteroid threat with Priyanka Cho.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
NewsThe Hollywood Reporter India reports: “'Varanasi': SS Rajamouli Confirms Film Will Be Shot Entirely On IMAX; Reveals Major Updates.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
ProductionThe Indian Express reports: “SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi spans Antarctica to Ancient Rome: ‘80% shoot completed’.” This independent brief is based on the publisher's feed listing; see the source credited below for the full report.
Who is in it
Reader questions
Varanasi is the widely reported collaboration between director S. S. Rajamouli and actor Mahesh Babu. The director-and-lead pairing is the announced core of the project; story specifics remain limited to what the makers have shared publicly.
A worldwide theatrical window of 07 April 2027 has been reported and is the date our countdown tracks. Treat any release date as provisional until the producers or distributor confirm it, because event films of this scale frequently move.
Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran are the publicly announced leads, with further names attached through public film listings. Our cast and crew page lists the credits we can attribute.
No. Varanasi Talkies is an independent fan-run publication. It is not affiliated with the film, its cast, or its production house, and it links out to the original reporting behind each summary.
