Varanasi: Why Mahesh Babu Found It Challenging To Play Lord Ram In SS Rajamouli Film?

S.S.

Rajamouli’s upcoming magnum opus Varanasi is shaping up to be one of the most ambitious Indian films ever mounted. The chatter around the film is not just limited to India, the global press is waiting for every single detail about the film. Spanning thousands of years and multiple continents, from the icy stretches of Antarctica to the wild terrains of Africa and the spiritual heart of India - Varanasi, the film pushes its actors both physically and mentally. At the centre of this epic is Mahesh Babu, who takes on the dual responsibility of portraying the mortal protagonist Rudhra and Lord Ram, a role he admits was among the most challenging of his career.

Mahesh Babu on playing Lord Rama and his physical transformation

For Mahesh Babu, stepping into the shoes of Lord Ram was not merely about performance but about transformation. Speaking about the role, the actor revealed that embodying Ram required unlearning modern physicality altogether. “I’m playing Lord Rama’s character, it required posture," the actor told Variety. "You can’t stand like modern characters,” he explained. To achieve this period-appropriate bearing, Mahesh underwent three months of intensive Kalari martial arts training, not for action sequences alone, but to retrain his stance, balance, and body alignment.

The preparation didn’t stop there. Mahesh also trained for several months with a track and field team to alter his running style. In epic cinema, especially when portraying divine or historical figures, even movement must feel timeless. The Telugu star said that when he saw the shot, he was really happy, calling the six months of physical training "worth it". The star added that the experience fundamentally changed how he walked and stood. According to him, the process reshaped every aspect of his physical presence on screen.Varanasi marks Mahesh Babu’s first collaboration with Rajamouli, a filmmaker known for extracting extreme commitment from his actors. Balancing the grounded human emotions of Rudhra with the calm, composed divinity of Ram required precision, restraint, and immense control. Looks like the entire team is happy with the end result.

Prithviraj recalls biggest challenge while playing the villain

Adding to the film’s intensity is Prithviraj Sukumaran’s portrayal of the antagonist Kumbha, a character confined to a wheelchair with only facial movement. Prithviraj revealed that everything seen on screen is practical, with no reliance on CGI for his physical limitations. Conveying menace and emotion purely through facial expressions became his biggest challenge, offering a stark contrast to Mahesh’s physically transformative role.

With Priyanka Chopra Jonas playing Mandakini and filming spanning locations like Kenya’s Maasai Mara and India's Odisha, Varanasi's scale, detail, and disciplined performances are already making the wait for the film difficult. SS Rajamouli's Varanasi is releasing worldwide on April 7, 2027.