The update
According to Rajamouli, he chose not to reveal the film's story through verbal descriptions because words fail to capture its scope. Instead, a video released last year was designed to showcase the various worlds audiences will experience without explicitly explaining the plot.
Rajamouli described Varanasi as a time-travel adventure that spans multiple locations and eras, including Antarctica, Africa, the city of Varanasi, and mythological periods featuring gods and giants. He stated that despite the grand scale and shifting timelines, the core of the adventure is anchored by the emotional dynamics between a father and son, as well as a romantic connection between a man and a woman.
Context & analysis
The film is directed by Rajamouli, co-written by V Vijayendra Prasad and SS Kanchi, and produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business. The cast features Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist, Kumbha.
In interviews on the Empire Film Podcast, Rajamouli expressed past dissatisfaction with existing adaptations of Indian epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata. While his personal dream project of adapting the Mahabharata remains a long-term goal, Varanasi will incorporate a brief sequence depicting a battle between Rama and Kumbhakarna from the Ramayana.
Varanasi is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 7, 2027, coinciding with Ugadi. The source notes that expectations are high following Rajamouli's 2022 hit RRR, with audiences already excited by promotional hints suggesting Mahesh Babu may portray Rama in the film.
Source note: This page is an original summary of public coverage and discussion. It does not reproduce the source article.
Source: Hindustan Times
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