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If you are a cinema lover, buckle up! The global superstar Priyanka Chopra, Tollywood’s ‘Prince’ Mahesh Babu, and the powerhouse performer Prithviraj Sukumaran are coming together to set the silver screen on fire. In a recent exclusive interview with Collider, the trio dropped massive reveals about S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming mega-project, ‘Varanasi’, sending fan excitement into overdrive.
Here is a breakdown of the most important highlights and why this movie is already being hailed as a cinematic game-changer.
Watch Full Interview of SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi
1. The Villain is the Real Hero? Rajamouli’s Dark Obsession
The most intriguing part of the interview came when Mahesh Babu shared a vintage anecdote about the legendary director. When asked how he presents his heroes so grandly, Rajamouli’s response was chilling: “I love my villains more.”
This sets a massive stage for Prithviraj Sukumaran, who plays the antagonist. Prithviraj revealed that his character, ‘Kumba’, is physically incapacitated and confined to a wheelchair. However, don’t let that fool you; his mind works in unpredictable and dangerous ways. The wheelchair isn’t just a prop; it’s an extension of Kumba’s lethal personality.
Usually, directors hold press conferences to explain a plot, but Rajamouli let the visuals do the talking. Mahesh Babu revealed that the 3-minute footage fans saw took a staggering 12 months to complete. This isn’t just a glimpse; it’s a roadmap of the story that spans from 2000 BC to 2027 AD. The scale is so massive that fans are already zooming in to find “Easter Eggs” hidden in the VFX-heavy shots.
3. Priyanka Chopra’s Linguistic Battle
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who has conquered Hollywood, is returning to her roots but with a twist. Despite her vast experience, she admitted that the Telugu language was a major hurdle. She had to phonetically memorize every single word to ensure her performance felt natural. She described the experience as “unlearning” her past work to become a student again under Rajamouli’s meticulous eye.
4. 94 Takes and Frenetic Energy
Prithviraj described the atmosphere on a Rajamouli set as “frenetic.” There are no breaks, and no one sits idle. He recalled a day when they reached Take 94 just to get one perfect, complicated camera movement right. While the commitments are long, as Mahesh Babu has been prepping for nearly three years, the actors agree that the ambition of the vision makes every second worth it.
Review: Why ‘Varanasi’ is the Next Global Phenomenon
Based on this interview, here are three reasons why ‘Varanasi’ is a must-watch:
- The IMAX Revolution: The film is being shot natively for the IMAX format. Mahesh Babu noted that by the time the film releases in 2027, the infrastructure in India will be ready to provide an “unbelievable” large-screen experience.
- The Antagonist’s Depth: Moving away from typical “macho” villains, a wheelchair-bound genius villain like Kumba adds a layer of psychological horror and suspense that is rare in Indian commercial cinema.
- A Millennial Journey: Crossing thousands of years in one film is a bold move. Rajamouli is blending history, mythology, and futuristic sci-fi in a way that hasn’t been attempted on this scale before.
Final Verdict
‘Varanasi’ is not just a movie; it is a global cinematic event. The synergy between Hollywood-standard production and Indian storytelling (led by Priyanka, Mahesh, and Prithviraj) is a recipe for history.
Release Window: We have to wait until 2027, but as Prithviraj puts it, “It’s classical filmmaking done right.” If RRR was a spark, Varanasi looks like it will be an absolute explosion.
What are you most excited about? Prithviraj’s villainous turn or Mahesh Babu’s grand avatar? Let us know in the comments!
