What is the story about?
SS Rajamouli has revealed new updates about his next magnum opus, Varanasi, creating anticipation among fans. Starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and
Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film promises a adventure rooted in mythology, with sequences inspired by the Ramayana. Scheduled for an April 7, 2027 release in IMAX, Varanasi is shaping up to be a visual spectacle. One of the highlights is Prithviraj’s portrayal of Kumbha, a wheelchair-bound antagonist. In a recent interview, SS Rajamouli revealed the film's run time and the villain's rule in the film.
SS Rajamouli Breaks Silence on Varanasi’s Length and Prithviraj Sukumaran's Antagonist Act
Speaking to Collinder's Youtube Channel, Rajamouli was asked about Prithviraj Sukumaran's role in the film, "He is wheelchair bound, it looks like it is sci-fi, but it is now. I love working with antagonists. Prithviraj who played the part, was incredible, so he conveyed everything through his eyes. He did it with aplomb." Varanasi is an epic and there are no plans to extend the story beyond its runtime. He said “I don’t think runtime is the issue. It’s about immersing the audience in the world… If viewers aren’t invested in the characters, and resonate with the emotions, run time doesn't matter." When he was asked about Varanasi's run time, he added, "Usually, I aim my films based on the script, usually we aim at 2 hours 40 min or 3 hours. But at this point, I feel Varanasi will be less than 3 hours."
SS Rajamouli, who previously helmed Baahubali and RRR, unveiled his cinematic venture, Varanasi, to a huge crowd at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad in November 2025. Initially teased under the codename GlobeTrotter, the film promises a time-spanning adventure rooted in Hindu mythology. Rajamouli revealed that a major sequence draws inspiration from an important episode of the Ramayana, with 60 days of shooting marking one of the most challenging segments of his career.
Prithviraj Sukumaran As Kumbha
One of the film’s most talked-about elements is Prithviraj Sukumaran’s role as Kumbha, a wheelchair-bound villain equipped with advanced technology. Rajamouli praised the actor’s performance “I love working with antagonists. Prithviraj was incredible; he conveyed everything through his eyes and did it with aplomb.” Prithviraj recalled his first meeting with Rajamouli “Five minutes into the narration, I was blown away. It felt like holding the next edition of my favorite comic book. How does someone imagine something like this?”
Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra and Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini. The film is being mounted on a massive scale with an grand scene shot on IMAX as well. With an April 7, 2027 release date, Varanasi is poised to become a huge money spinner at the box office.
