Archive · 9 Aug 2026
SS Rajamouli Unveils Mahesh Babu's Rudhra First Look From Varanasi
August 9 was the birthday of a famous movie star from India named Mahesh Babu.
His fans got a special present: new pictures of his next movie, called Varanasi.
The movie is directed by the famous filmmaker SS Rajamouli, known for movies like RRR.
The pictures show Mahesh Babu as his character, a hero named Rudhra.
The photos were taken in Africa, near the snowy mountain Kilimanjaro and in the wild Masai Mara.
Rudhra is described as witty, vulnerable and fierce — funny, gentle and brave all at once.
People online shared a rumored storyline for the movie.
In it, a giant space rock called an asteroid, named Shambhavi, is heading toward the holy city of Varanasi in the year 2027.
Rudhra, an archaeologist, must find an ancient space artifact to save the city, while a tech-genius villain named Kumbha chases him.
The movie is coming to theaters around the world on April 7, 2027.
SS Rajamouli unveiled first-look stills of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra from the upcoming film Varanasi on the actor's birthday, August 9, 2026.
The images were shot during the film's Africa schedule around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara.
Rudhra is described as witty, vulnerable and fierce, born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself.
A reported, unconfirmed synopsis says the 2027-set story pits archaeologist Rudhra and historian Mandakini against asteroid Shambhavi and tech-genius villain Kumbha.
Varanasi, also starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shruti Haasan, releases worldwide on April 7, 2027; about 80 per cent of filming is complete.
- Who
- Mahesh Babu (as Rudhra), co-starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shruti Haasan, in a film directed by SS Rajamouli.
- What
- First-look stills of Mahesh Babu's character Rudhra from the film Varanasi were released, alongside a reported synopsis about an asteroid named Shambhavi threatening the holy city.
- When
- August 9, 2026 (Mahesh Babu's birthday); the film is scheduled for worldwide release on April 7, 2027.
- Where
- The stills were shot around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara in Africa; the reported story spans Africa, Antarctica and Europe.
- Why
- The makers unveiled the look as a birthday treat for Mahesh Babu and his fans.
- Film
- Varanasi
- Director
- SS Rajamouli
- Cast
- Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan
- Mahesh Babu's role
- Rudhra, an archaeologist and explorer
- First look unveiled
- August 9, 2026 (Mahesh Babu's birthday)
- Release date
- April 7, 2027 (worldwide theatrical)
- Filming status
- About 80 per cent complete; remaining portions being filmed in Hyderabad
- IMAX milestone
- First non-English film shot entirely in IMAX
