Mumbai: SS Rajamouli’s next big-screen spectacle Varanasi has officially got a release date. The makers have announced that the magnum opus, headlined by Mahesh Babu, will hit theatres worldwide on April 7, 2027. The pan-Indian movie, which is supported by SS Durga Arts and Showing Business, features Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran playing major roles and is being filmed in IMAX projection.
The announcement was made with a striking new poster that instantly grabbed attention. The visual shows a massive meteor crashing into Earth, clearly hinting at an apocalyptic threat that lies at the heart of the story. This disclosure has taken the anticipation of the first collaboration between Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu to a new level.
A cosmic story rooted in Indian mythology
Billed as a globetrotter, Varanasi blends the idea of a global cosmic disaster with ancient Indian mythology and time travel. The initial preview of the movie which was first premiered to audiences at a mega Hyderabad event has now been unveiled to the world.
The teaser opens with a breathtaking drone shot of Varanasi, one of India’s oldest living cities, believed to date back to 521 CE. The visuals then move across time and geography, jumping between Antarctica, Africa, Kenya, and different eras such as 512 CE, 2027 CE, and even the Treta Yuga. Among the most theatrical scenes is the impact of an asteroid called Sambhavi upon the planet where devastation expanded to historical places such as Manikarnika Ghat.
The teaser ends on a powerful image of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, riding a bull and holding a trishul, setting the tone for a larger-than-life mythological avatar.
Characters, performances and Rajamouli’s vision
Mahesh Babu essays the role of Rudhra, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha. Priyanka Chopra Jonas will be seen as Mandakini. The Priyanka and Prithviraj first-look posters had already generated great hype on the Internet, with fans hailing the intensity and magnitude of their roles.
Rajamouli has revealed that one of the film’s biggest sequences draws inspiration from an important episode of the Ramayana. The filmmaker described the experience as deeply immersive, saying that while writing the scenes and dialogues, he felt like he was floating. He has also told that the specific sequence required 60 days of filming and is one of the most difficult parts of his career.
Grand launch and cast reactions
The official title Varanasi was unveiled at the lavish Globetrotter event held in Hyderabad on November 15, 2025, with the teaser being screened on a massive display for attendees. The glimpse was later released worldwide, allowing fans everywhere to witness the scale of Rajamouli’s vision.
Reacting to the response, Mahesh Babu shared a heartfelt note thanking fans, media, and everyone who travelled to support the film, calling the love and energy overwhelming. Priyanka Chopra Jonas as well gave her thanks and said that even a glimpse can be full of promise and she said that she thanked her audiences to be so loving towards the film and the team.
With a unique mix of mythology, science fiction, time travel and global visuals, Varanasi is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Indian films ever made. With the clock now ticking to April 2027, Rajamouli is now under the spotlight to again re-invent the scale of cinema and narration.
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