# Mahesh Babu’s Varanasi: six songs, making documentary in works

2026-08-18T14:55:55+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 2 independent outlets

Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravaani has revealed that the SS Rajamouli-directed film Varanasi, starring Mahesh Babu, will feature six songs. Keeravaani confirmed the detail during a public appearance and earlier stated he will begin work on the background score in September, aiming to complete it by January. The film also stars Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Separately, reports from TeluguCinema.com indicate that the Varanasi team is working on a special behind-the-scenes documentary helmed by an international filmmaker, similar to Aamir Khan's approach on Lagaan. The documentary is expected to cover the film's action sequences, sets, use of technology, and work with real animals. However, the team has not officially confirmed the documentary's existence or release plans. Varanasi is scheduled for a theatrical release on April 7, 2027.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The two sources frame the Varanasi story from distinct angles. TeluguCinema.com leads with the unconfirmed making documentary, treating it as a speculative promotional tool and drawing a parallel to Lagaan, which gives the report a sensationalist, curiosity-driven tone. 123telugu.com, by contrast, reports a confirmed fact, six songs from the composer, grounding its piece in a verifiable public statement. Neither source is critical or pro-government, the difference is between unconfirmed buzz and concrete detail. A careful reader should note that the documentary remains unconfirmed, while the song count is official. Watch for an official announcement on the documentary closer to the April 2027 release.

## Coverage

Coverage: 2 sources, 1 neutral, 1 sensationalist
- telugucinema.com (sensationalist) <https://telugucinema.com/news/varanasi-making-documentary-in-the-works-to-release-before-the-movie>
  Leads with unconfirmed making documentary, uses speculation and Lagaan comparison to build hype
- 123telugu.com (neutral report) <https://www.123telugu.com/mnews/mahesh-babus-varanasi-mm-keeravaani-reveals-the-number-of-songs-hk.html>
  Reports confirmed fact of six songs from composer's public statement, no speculation

This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources. Last updated 2026-08-19T12:02:38+00:00.

Tags: Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, SS Rajamouli, Varanasi
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How this brief was made: an AI model read the reports linked above and wrote this summary and analysis, which were published automatically. Published briefs are sampled every hour by an automated quality check; the editor verifies its findings and approves corrections, and corrected briefs carry a dated correction line. Stance labels are editorial classifications of how each outlet framed this story, assigned by the same model, not ratings of the outlets. We do no original reporting. Methodology: https://indianopinion.org/ai-use-policy/