Now Reading: First look of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra in Rajamouli’s Varanasi out
-
01
First look of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra in Rajamouli’s Varanasi out
SS Rajamouli released Mahesh Babu's first look as Rudhra from his upcoming film Varanasi on the actor's birthday, August 9. The images, shot during the Africa schedule near Kilimanjaro and the Masai…
The Story in Brief
SS Rajamouli released Mahesh Babu's first look as Rudhra from his upcoming film Varanasi on the actor's birthday, August 9. The images, shot during the Africa schedule near Kilimanjaro and the Masai Mara, show Babu in a green shirt and cargo pants amid dense foliage. The film also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Hindustan Times reports that some online viewers called the pictures 'too sanitised' and compared them to a Mountain Dew advertisement, while others praised his presence. Budgeted at around Rs 1,200-1,400 crore, Varanasi is a time-travelling adventure linked to the Ramayana and is scheduled to release in April 2027.
The Indian Opinion
The split between fan ecstasy and the 'Mountain Dew ad' jibe is revealing. One side demands a heroic reveal; the other sees a polished product shot on location. Both miss the point: the images are stills, not a trailer. Rajamouli's budget of over Rs 1,200 crore and his Ramayana-linked time-travel premise raise expectations that a single look cannot fulfil. The real test will be the first teaser: does it show a story or just a travelogue?
Sources (2): news.abplive.com, hindustantimes.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the 2 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 2 sources.
