In a grand spectacle that’s sending shockwaves through Indian cinema, the Varanasi movie has been officially unveiled by director S. S. Rajamouli, marking one of his most ambitious projects yet. The highly anticipated film, previously codenamed GlobeTrotter, promises a time‑traveling, mythologically infused adventure set against the spiritual backdrop of Varanasi—and fans are already calling it a potential modern epic.
A Celebratory Launch at Ramoji Film City
The big reveal took place on November 15, 2025, at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, where thousands of fans gathered to witness the first motion posters and teaser footage for the Varanasi movie. The event, dubbed the “Globetrotter launch,” was cinematic in scale: enormous replicas of Varanasi’s ghats, vibrant lighting, and a spectacle that felt more like a festival than a film announcement.
Mahesh Babu, the film’s male lead, made a striking entrance mounted on a mechanical white bull, wielding a trident—a visual that immediately evoked Hindu mythological imagery. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, another lead, appeared as Mandakini, balancing toughness and mystique in her first look. Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran was also revealed in a key role, adding to the film’s cross-industry appeal.
Story & Scale: Mythology Meets Time Travel
The Varanasi movie is being positioned as more than just a period epic. According to Rajamouli, the plot draws heavily from Hindu mythology, with allusions to the Ramayana woven into a time-travel framework. The teaser hints at ancient Varanasi (dated to 512 CE), forest adventures, and dramatic battles, suggesting that the film will span multiple eras.
Mahesh Babu’s character is named Rudhra, and his look—blood-smeared shirt, trident, and bull—evokes both a warrior and a divine figure. Some fans have already likened Rudhra to Lord Ram, while others speculate that Rajamouli is reimagining mythic archetypes in a new, larger-than-life way.
Cinematic Ambition and Technical Feats
The scale of the Varanasi movie is immediately clear: Rajamouli confirmed that the film will be released in IMAX format, promising a truly grand visual experience. According to insiders, this could be the first Indian film shot in a premium large-scale format designed specifically for IMAX — an indication of how seriously the director is approaching the project.
Visually, the trailer leans into lush set designs, ancient temples, jungles, and dramatic mythology-tinged action sequences. The bull, the trident, and the spiritual iconography suggest not only physical journeys, but metaphysical ones too. There’s also talk of a time-travel narrative that may link events across centuries.
Cast Power & Character Dynamics
- Mahesh Babu as Rudhra – The hero riding a bull, trident in hand, and possibly drawing on mythological symbolism.
- Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini – A dynamic, action‑oriented character introduced in the first poster, complete with a pistol and fierce determination.
- Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha – Portrayed as a scientific and possibly adversarial figure, adding depth and tension to the narrative.
These casting choices elevate the movie’s prestige: Rajamouli, known for crafting visual epics, has assembled a pan-Indian ensemble that suggests this is not just a regional blockbuster, but a cinematic event with global ambitions.
Release Timing & Potential Impact
According to recent announcements, Varanasi is slated for a January 2027 release—strategically timed around the festival of Sankranti, which could give the film a major box‑office boost. The timing reflects careful planning: it aims to tap into the holiday season when moviegoing is at its peak.
This is not just a film for Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu. It’s being presented as a once-in-a-generation spectacle, combining mythology, adventure, and science-fiction in a way that seeks to push Indian cinema’s technical and narrative boundaries.
Fan Buzz and Cultural Resonance
The reaction online has been electric. Fans on social media are dissecting every frame of the teaser, speculating about hidden mythological references, character motivations, and how the time-travel element will play out. There’s particular excitement around Mahesh Babu’s “Rudhra” look and what it means in a cultural and spiritual context.
Reddit communities have sprung up almost immediately, with theories swirling: some suggest the film will explore major Puranic events, while others see it as Rajamouli’s imaginative take on cosmic cycles of time. The chatter is emblematic of how deeply this announcement has resonated—not just as a film, but as a mythic event.
What This Means for Rajamouli and Tollywood
For S. S. Rajamouli, Varanasi represents both a return to familiar thematic territory and a bold leap into new creative terrain. After his global successes with Baahubali and RRR, he appears poised to once again redefine scale in Telugu and Indian cinema. This time, he’s not just telling a historical epic — he’s building a bridge between myth and modernity.
For Tollywood and the broader Indian film industry, Varanasi may set new benchmarks for production value, storytelling ambition, and cross-market appeal. If it delivers on its promise, the movie could raise the bar for pan-Indian epics and possibly attract global audiences eager for myth-driven spectacle.
Credit: PopScopeNow.com — November 16, 2025
