Varanasi Movie: Story, Cast, Roles, and Audience Response
Varanasi is one of the most awaited Indian films directed by S. S. Rajamouli, the filmmaker famous for blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR. The movie is a large-scale action-adventure based on mythology and science fiction. It is produced by K. L. Narayana under Sri Durga Arts.
The film’s budget is said to be around ₹1,000 crore, making it one of India’s most expensive movies. A huge set of Varanasi city — including ghats, temples, and streets — has been recreated at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, costing about ₹50 crore. Shooting has also taken place in Kenya, Odisha, and Hyderabad.
The film aims for a global audience, with release plans in IMAX and other premium formats.
Cast and Characters
Here are the main actors and their roles:
Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, the main hero and central character.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, the female lead.
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Kumbha, the main villain.
Music is composed by M. M. Keeravani, who also worked on RRR and Baahubali.
Some reports suggest other top actors, such as R. Madhavan, may appear in supporting roles.
Story and Theme (Based on Reports)
The official plot is still secret, but teasers and media updates hint that Varanasi mixes ancient Indian mythology with futuristic science fiction.
The movie is believed to show events happening in different time periods — from ancient Varanasi (around 500 CE) to prehistoric times (around 7000 BCE), and even modern or future eras.
There are visuals of temples, caves, natural wonders, and possibly an asteroid — showing that the story might involve time travel and spiritual adventures.
Rajamouli has said the film takes inspiration from parts of the Ramayana, one of India’s greatest epics. The story seems to have both divine and human elements — a fight between good and evil across ages.
Main Roles Explained
Rudhra (Mahesh Babu) – A warrior-like character with divine powers. Seen carrying a trident and riding a bull, Rudhra appears to be the heart of the story.
Mandakini (Priyanka Chopra) – A courageous woman who may help Rudhra in his quest. Her look suggests a powerful and active role.
Kumbha (Prithviraj Sukumaran) – The main villain. Early glimpses show him as a dark and dangerous figure, possibly part machine, with cybernetic arms.
The story seems to revolve around Rudhra’s battle against Kumbha, mixing mythology, science, and emotions.
Actor Fees and Budget
While official salaries are not confirmed, media reports estimate the following:
Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Around ₹25–30 crore for her role. She may be the highest-paid actress in Rajamouli’s films.
Mahesh Babu: Instead of a fixed salary, he is said to have chosen a profit-sharing model — meaning he will earn from the movie’s total profits rather than a single upfront payment.
Prithviraj Sukumaran: His fee is not widely reported but is believed to be around ₹8–10 crore.
The entire film’s budget is around ₹1,000–1,100 crore, placing it among the costliest movies ever made in Indian cinema.
Who Plays the Most Important Role?
From what is known, Mahesh Babu plays the most crucial role. His character Rudhra is the main face of the film, heavily featured in posters and teasers.
However, Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha also seems vital to the story. His villain role appears intense and full of mystery, giving balance to Rudhra’s heroism.
Priyanka Chopra adds glamour and strength to the story but seems to play a strong supporting lead rather than the main focus.
Audience Response and Reactions
Though the movie hasn’t released yet, early reactions on social media show huge excitement and curiosity.
Positive Reactions:
The title and teaser reveal, called the "Globetrotter Event", attracted thousands of fans.
Mahesh Babu’s first look, showing him holding a trident and riding a bull, became an instant hit online.
Fans praised his intense look, calling it his most powerful appearance ever.
Mixed or Critical Reactions:
Some viewers felt the VFX (computer effects) in the teaser looked slightly artificial or overly digital.
A few people worry that combining mythology, time travel, and science fiction might make the story complicated.
Others say the movie’s huge hype needs to be matched by equally strong content.
Optimistic Views:
Many are hopeful that Rajamouli will once again create a cinematic masterpiece. His previous success with Baahubali and RRR has built trust among fans worldwide.
Most agree that if executed well, Varanasi could push Indian films to a global level.
Challenges Before Release
Here are some challenges the team might face:
High Budget Risk: With a ₹1,000 crore investment, the film must perform extremely well worldwide to earn profit.
Complex Storyline: Mixing multiple time periods and mythological themes can be hard to connect smoothly.
VFX Expectations: Since Rajamouli films are known for top-grade visuals, even small flaws may be noticed.
Title Issue: A smaller Telugu film reportedly owns the name Varanasi, which could cause legal or title delays.
Final Thoughts
Varanasi is shaping up to be a grand, visually rich experience — possibly one of Indian cinema’s biggest ever projects.
With Rajamouli’s direction, Mahesh Babu’s lead role, Priyanka Chopra’s strong presence, and Prithviraj’s villainous power, the film has all the ingredients for success.
The audience is eagerly waiting to see how the film brings together mythology, time travel, and global storytelling on one screen.
If successful, Varanasi could become not just a blockbuster in India but also a defining film on the world stage. Rajamouli’s past record gives everyone confidence that this movie will be worth the watching.
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