Archive · 9 Aug 2026
SS Rajamouli unveils Mahesh Babu's Rudra look in Varanasi
A big new movie called "Varanasi" is coming soon, directed by famous Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli and starring popular Telugu actor Mahesh Babu.
Mahesh Babu just turned 51 years old.
To celebrate his birthday, two new pictures of his character Rudra were shared.
In one picture, Rudra rests on a bamboo raft in a jungle.
Another picture shows him standing in the Maasai Mara in Africa, with giraffes and zebras behind him.
The pictures were taken while the film crew was shooting in Africa near Mount Kilimanjaro.
The director says Rudra is funny, vulnerable and very powerful, and carries a destiny he never asked for.
He also says the movie is a big adventure that travels across the world and spans centuries.
The movie also stars Priyanka Chopra, who plays Mandakini, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, who plays the villain.
The film was earlier referred to as SSMB29, and Priyanka Chopra's first look was revealed on her birthday in July.
Two new stills of Mahesh Babu as Rudra (also spelled Rudhra) from SS Rajamouli's film Varanasi were unveiled on the actor's 51st birthday.
One still shows Mahesh Babu resting on a bamboo raft or cot in a jungle.
The other shows the actor standing in the Maasai Mara in Kenya, Africa, with giraffes and zebras in the background.
The stills were captured during the film's Africa schedule, which included shooting around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara.
Rajamouli called Rudra funny, vulnerable and immensely powerful, crediting Mahesh Babu for embodying both strength and vulnerability; the film also stars Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
- Who
- Telugu actor Mahesh Babu, director SS Rajamouli, and co-stars Priyanka Chopra (Mandakini) and Prithviraj Sukumaran (antagonist)
- What
- Two new stills unveiling Mahesh Babu's character Rudra (also spelled Rudhra) from the film Varanasi were released on the film's official Instagram handle
- When
- On Mahesh Babu's 51st birthday, August 9
- Where
- The stills depict a jungle and the Maasai Mara in Kenya, Africa; the images were captured during the Africa schedule around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara
- Why
- To celebrate Mahesh Babu's birthday and offer fans a glimpse into the highly awaited globe-trotting epic
- Film
- Varanasi (earlier referred to as SSMB29)
- Director
- SS Rajamouli
- Lead Actor
- Mahesh Babu
- Character
- Rudra (also spelled Rudhra)
- Occasion
- Mahesh Babu's 51st birthday
- Setting
- Globe-trotting epic spanning centuries
- Locations
- Jungle with bamboo raft; Maasai Mara, Kenya; Mount Kilimanjaro
- Co-stars
- Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini; Prithviraj Sukumaran as antagonist
