Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has confirmed that his upcoming film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, draws directly from the epic Ramayana.
The film is scheduled for theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
Speaking to Polygon, Rajamouli said that his work has always been influenced by Indian epics. “All my films are inspired by the epics of Rama,” he said, adding that Varanasi allows him to adapt an actual episode from the Ramayana and present it in a new cinematic form.
Addressing concerns about whether audiences need prior knowledge of mythology, Rajamouli said the responsibility lay with the filmmaker to ensure clarity. He said the film is designed so viewers do not feel lost or mentally burdened while watching it. According to him, even without understanding the full story of Rama, audiences can follow the narrative by connecting with the emotions of the characters.
Rajamouli also spoke about the evolving relationship between Rudra, played by Mahesh Babu, and Mandakini, a mysterious thief portrayed by Priyanka Chopra. He said the emotional bond between the two characters forms the core of the story and is meant to remain relatable despite the film’s large scale.
Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran also features in a key role.
The title Varanasi was officially unveiled in November last year at the Globetrotter event in Hyderabad. The teaser opens with aerial shots of the ancient city before shifting to scenes of an asteroid approaching Earth. It ends with Mahesh Babu’s character riding a bull and wielding a trishul, hinting at the film’s mythological themes.