Priyanka Chopra is gearing up for her highly anticipated comeback to Indian films with SS Rajamouli’s epic action-adventure Varanasi. Speaking with Variety, the actor revealed the “ultimatum” she gave the acclaimed director before signing the project. Chopra, who has been busy with international projects since 2019, said she was determined to return to Indian cinema on her own terms.
“This is unlike anything I’ve ever done. We travel from like Antarctica to… And just the worlds that he creates are so larger than life, and nobody has the vision that he does. So even I’m excited to see more,” Priyanka shared. She went on to explain what she told Rajamouli prior to joining the film. “I was like, ‘Listen, I’m coming back to Indian movies. I have
to do a dance song. Like you have to make me dance.’ I know I’m gonna be doing it, but we haven’t shot it yet. OK, that’s one of the last things, which I’m really looking forward to. But we already did do one where choreography was crazy. It’s so intricate.”
About Varanasi and Priyanka’s Role
Varanasi marks Priyanka’s debut in a Telugu-language film. She essays Mandakini, while Mahesh Babu stars as Rudhra, the protagonist, and Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha. The film’s story spans multiple locations and eras, including Antarctica, Varanasi, Kenya, 512 CE, 2027 CE, and the mythical Threthayuga. Fans first glimpsed the film during its November 2025 title reveal in Hyderabad, where around 50,000 enthusiasts attended the grand event.
A short teaser released alongside the announcement showcased stunning visuals, including a striking sequence where Mahesh Babu, clad in a blood-soaked shirt and a Nandi pendant, rides a bull through Varanasi wielding a trident. The film’s music is composed by MM Keeravani and it is produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business. Varanasi is slated for an April 7, 2027 release, promising a larger-than-life cinematic experience.
Apart from Varanasi, Priyanka will be seen in the second season of the web series Citadel, and in the action thriller The Bluff alongside Karl Urban. She was last seen in Heads of State with Idris Elba and John Cena, solidifying her global presence before returning to Indian cinema.
