‘Varanasi’ Set Photos Unveiled: SS Rajamouli Recreates India’s Spiritual Capital for Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra’s Upcoming Film

Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli has officially unveiled a massive, high-budget recreation of Varanasi for his latest cinematic venture starring Mahesh Babu. While initial reports suggested the structures were miniatures for visual effects, the production team has confirmed the construction of a sprawling, life-sized set designed to replicate the spiritual capital’s iconic ghats and ancient architecture. SS Rajamouli Confirms Mahesh Babu-Starrer ‘Varanasi’ To Release Worldwide on This Date (View Post).

The project, which was long referred to as SSMB29, was officially titled Varanasi during a grand "Globe Trotter" event held at Ramoji Film City.

‘Varanasi’ Set Pictures Go Viral

The makers recently released a series of high-definition images and a concept teaser that have since dominated social media. The visuals showcase a meticulous recreation of the Kashi riverfront, constructed at an estimated cost of INR 50 crore.

SS Rajamouli Creates Miniature Version of Varanasi City

 

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Industry experts note that the set was built to facilitate complex action sequences that would be impossible to film in the actual city of Varanasi due to logistical and crowd-control challenges. The images reveal a stunning level of detail, from the weathered stone of the temples to the specific lighting of the evening Aarti ceremonies.

More Inside Glimpses From ‘Varanasi’ Sets

 

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A Time-Trotting Global Adventure

Moving away from the traditional jungle adventure rumours, the official reveal confirms that Varanasi will be a "globe-trotting and time-trotting" epic. The teaser spans multiple locations and eras, including Antarctica, the African wilderness, and ancient India, dating back to 512 CE.Mahesh Babu stars as Rudra, an explorer whose character appears to have deep mythological roots. The first-look poster features the actor in a rugged, long-haired avatar, wielding a Trishul (trident) while riding a charging white bull.

‘Varanasi’ Star-Studded Cast

The film marks a significant collaboration between top talents from across the Indian film industry. Mahesh Babu, who plays the lead protagonist, Rudra. Priyanka Chopra Jonas returns to Indian cinema as Mandakini, a character described as a "femme fatale" often seen in action-oriented sequences. Prithviraj Sukumaran: Portrays the primary antagonist, Kumbha, a character with a scientific yet villainous edge.

With a reported budget exceeding INR 1,000 crore, Varanasi is being filmed in the IMAX format for a global audience. Following the completion of the Hyderabad and Odisha schedules, the production is set to move to international locations, including Kenya and the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica. Priyanka Chopra REACTS to Mahesh Babu’s ‘Ticking All the Boxes’ Review of ‘The Bluff’, Shares Update on ‘Varanasi’ (View Post).

The makers have confirmed that the film is slated for a worldwide theatrical release in January 2027, coinciding with the Sankranti festival.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 25, 2026 06:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).