Why Mahesh Babu Thinks His Role In S.S. Rajamouli’s Varanasi Is Most Challenging?

S.S. Rajamouli’s next ambitious project, Varanasi, is shaping up to be one of the most monumental Indian films ever made. The buzz surrounding the film has extended far beyond India, capturing the attention of audiences worldwide. At the centre of the epic narrative is Mahesh Babu, who takes on the dual roles of the mortal protagonist Rudhra and Lord Ram.

Mahesh Babu has described the experience as one of the “most challenging” of his career. Speaking about the role to Variety, the actor revealed that portraying Ram required unlearning modern physicality altogether. He said, “I’m playing Lord Rama’s character, it requires posture. You can’t stand like modern characters.”

Mahesh Babu On His Training For Varanasi

Mahesh Babu spent three months intensively

training in Kalari martial arts, not just for action sequences, but also to retrain his stance, balance, and body alignment. The preparation did not end there. He also spent several months training with a track and field squad to improve his running technique. The actor said he was overjoyed when he saw the shot, calling the six months of physical training “worth it”. He mentioned, “The way I walked changed, the way I stood changed, everything changed.”

Varanasi is Mahesh Babu’s debut collaboration with S.S. Rajamouli, a filmmaker noted for eliciting great dedication from his performers.

Other Characters In Varanasi

Prithviraj Sukumaran’s portrayal of the antagonist Kumbha, confined to a wheelchair and able to move only his face, adds an intense layer of tension to the film. In the same interview, Prithviraj revealed that his performance relies entirely on realism, with no use of CGI to compensate for the character’s physical limitations.

With Priyanka Chopra Jonas playing Mandakini, and filming underway across Kenya’s Maasai Mara and India’s Odisha, the cast and scale of Varanasi are already making the wait for the film feel longer. The film is set for a worldwide release on April 7, 2027.