Varanasi movie update: Mahesh Babu’s first look as Rudra wins hearts. SS Rajamouli’s movie plot goes viral

Mahesh Babu’s birthday turned into a major treat for fans as SS Rajamouli unveiled the first look of the actor from highly-anticipated movie Varanasi. The glimpse introduced audiences to Rudhra, the mysterious central character of the upcoming adventure drama. Seen in the middle of breathtaking landscapes, Mahesh’s rugged appearance has already sparked excitement online. While the images have created a buzz around his look, the film’s reported storyline is adding curiosity about the movie.

Mahesh Babu’s first look as Rudhra unveiled

The first-look images have two contrasting glimpses of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra. In one, the actor is seen casually relaxing on a bamboo raft, surrounded by greenery. Another frame shows him standing in the wilderness and looking across a vast landscape. The visuals give Rudhra an adventurous and mysterious quality without revealing too much about his character.

Sharing the look on social media, Mahesh Babu hinted that Rudhra is not simply a conventional action hero. He captioned the post, "Fierce isn’t his only shade… RUDHRA in #Varanasi." The brief message suggests that the character will have an emotional and vulnerable side along with his physical strength.




Rajamouli also shared a special birthday message for Mahesh Babu while introducing Rudhra. The filmmaker described the character as someone who has been born with a larger purpose and carries a destiny that he did not choose for himself. According to Rajamouli, Rudhra is witty, vulnerable and fierce, and Mahesh was able to bring all these contrasting qualities into the character.

Rajamouli further explained that while many actors can convincingly play a fierce character, Mahesh manages to portray both fierceness and fragility at the same time.

The filmmaker also revealed that the newly released frames were captured during the Africa schedule of Varanasi. He recalled shooting around Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara and said the real locations offered a scale that was difficult to recreate on a set. Rajamouli noted that even the film’s 1.43:1 IMAX frame sometimes seemed too small to capture the landscapes around them.

Varanasi plot: Mahesh Babu faces a global threat

While the first look has created excitement around Mahesh Babu’s appearance, the reported synopsis of Varanasi has given fans a better idea of what the film is about.

According to a report by Gulte, the story is set in 2027 and revolves around a major threat heading towards the holy city of Varanasi. A massive asteroid named Shambhavi is reportedly on a collision course with the city, creating an existential crisis for the world.

Rudhra is introduced as a rugged archaeologist and explorer who is recruited for a dangerous mission. His task is to locate an ancient cosmic artefact that could hold the key to preventing the impending disaster.

He is joined by Mandakini, played by Priyanka Chopra. Her character is described as a fearless historian and skilled marksman who becomes Rudhra’s partner during the mission.

Their journey, however, is complicated by the presence of Kumbha, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran. The character is described as a tech genius and the main antagonist who follows Rudhra and Mandakini as they travel across different parts of the world.

The reported storyline suggests that the film will combine mythology, science fiction, action and adventure, with the mystery surrounding the ancient artefact connecting the modern-day crisis to Varanasi’s mythical past.

From Africa to Antarctica and Ancient Rome

Varanasi is expected to take viewers far beyond its titular city. Rajamouli has previously spoken about the film’s international scale, revealing that the story moves through locations including Africa and Antarctica before travelling back in time to Ancient Rome and eventually returning to Varanasi.

The filmmaker has also confirmed that the movie is being shot entirely in IMAX, making it a particularly ambitious project in terms of scale and visual presentation. Around 80% of the filming has reportedly been completed, with several major action sequences already wrapped.

The film also stars Shruti Haasan in an important role. Backed by Sri Durga Arts, Varanasi is being positioned as a large-scale theatrical spectacle.

Meanwhile, Varanasi is scheduled to arrive in theatres worldwide on April 7, 2027.