SS Rajamouli Reveals the Emotional Story Behind Varanasi: A Time-Travel Adventure Across Mythological Worlds
What happens when a filmmaker combines time travel, ancient mythology, breathtaking landscapes and deeply personal relationships into one cinematic adventure? According to SS Rajamouli, the answer is Varanasi.
The director’s upcoming ambitious project, starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is shaping up to be much more than a conventional action-adventure film. Rajamouli has now offered a fascinating glimpse into the film’s concept, revealing that its journey will move across different continents, historical periods and mythological worlds.
However, beneath all the spectacle lies something considerably more personal: the emotional connection between a father and son and the love between a man and a woman.
Speaking during his appearance at the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival in Brazil, Rajamouli explained that these relationships form the foundation of the entire adventure.
Varanasi Is More Than Just a Time-Travel Adventure
Rajamouli has deliberately avoided revealing too much about the film’s storyline. Unlike some of his previous projects, the filmmaker believes that describing Varanasi through words alone would not adequately communicate its scale and ambition.
Instead, the team released a visual glimpse designed to introduce audiences to the different worlds they will experience.
During his conversation with Brazilian YouTube channel ALMANAQUE21, Rajamouli described the film as an adventure that travels through Antarctica, Africa and the city of Varanasi, moving across different time periods.
The journey also enters the world of mythology, featuring larger-than-life elements such as giants and gods.
This combination of geographical exploration, time travel and mythology suggests that Varanasi is attempting something considerably different from a traditional Indian action film.
Rather than restricting the story to one location or historical setting, Rajamouli appears to be building an expansive cinematic universe where different worlds and timelines intersect.
The Emotional Connection That Drives the Entire Story
While the film’s scale is certainly one of its biggest attractions, Rajamouli made it clear that spectacular visuals and elaborate action sequences are not the actual heart of Varanasi.
The director revealed that the entire adventure is driven by two important emotional relationships: the bond between a father and son and the love between a man and a woman.
This is perhaps the most interesting detail to emerge from his latest comments.
Rajamouli has previously demonstrated his ability to combine large-scale storytelling with personal emotions. Whether it was the friendship and sacrifice at the centre of RRR or the family relationships in the Baahubali films, emotional stakes have always played an important role in his filmmaking.
With Varanasi, he appears to be taking that approach into an even more ambitious setting.
The mythology, time-travel elements and international locations may provide the spectacle, but the relationships between the characters will ultimately give the journey its meaning.
Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran Lead the Adventure
One of the biggest attractions of Varanasi is its principal cast.
Mahesh Babu takes on the lead role of Rudhra, marking an important collaboration between the Telugu superstar and Rajamouli.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, making her return to Indian cinema after an extended absence. Her character is expected to be an important part of the film’s central adventure.
Meanwhile, Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Kumbha, the film’s antagonist.
The combination of these three actors gives the project an interesting dynamic, particularly with Rajamouli bringing together performers from different corners of Indian cinema.
Music for the film is being composed by MM Keeravani, another longtime collaborator of the director.
From Antarctica to Africa: A Journey Across Different Worlds
The geographical scale of Varanasi is another aspect that separates it from many upcoming Indian releases.
Rajamouli has already indicated that the film will take audiences through dramatically different environments.
Antarctica brings an icy and unforgiving landscape, while Africa offers opportunities for wilderness and large-scale adventure. Varanasi, meanwhile, provides a culturally and mythologically significant setting.
The film also explores different historical periods, connecting its contemporary adventure with ancient mythology.
Earlier descriptions of the project have also pointed towards a journey involving ancient Rome and the Ramayana, further suggesting that the story will move between different eras and mythological settings.
This gives Rajamouli considerable creative freedom to combine historical imagination, fantasy, action and Indian mythology within one narrative.
Why Rajamouli Is Keeping the Story Under Wraps
Rajamouli’s decision not to reveal the complete storyline appears to be deliberate.
The filmmaker explained that ordinary descriptions could fail to communicate the film’s scope. Instead of explaining every plot detail, he wants audiences to experience the different worlds through the visuals.
It is an interesting marketing approach, especially for a project that relies heavily on visual spectacle and unexpected narrative connections.
There is also a benefit to keeping certain details secret. With time travel and mythology playing such important roles, revealing too much beforehand could take away some of the film’s biggest surprises.
For now, audiences have been given an idea of the experience without being told exactly how all the pieces fit together.
Varanasi Release Date: When Can Audiences Watch the Film?
Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
The film is directed by SS Rajamouli and produced by KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya under their respective production banners.
Following the global success of RRR, expectations surrounding Rajamouli’s next directorial venture are understandably enormous.
The combination of Mahesh Babu’s presence, Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema, Prithviraj’s antagonist role and Rajamouli’s ambitious storytelling makes the project one of the most anticipated Indian films currently in development.
Geeksterr Verdict: Could Varanasi Be Rajamouli’s Most Ambitious Adventure Yet?
What makes Varanasi particularly intriguing is the contrast between its enormous setting and its intimate emotional foundation.
On one side, there are different continents, historical timelines, mythological figures and potentially spectacular action sequences. On the other, there are relationships, love, family and the emotional connections that hold the story together.
That balance could become the film’s biggest strength.
Rajamouli has already shown audiences that large-scale cinema can work when its characters and emotional stakes are equally compelling. With Varanasi, he appears ready to explore that philosophy through an even wider canvas.
The real challenge will be bringing all these different elements together without losing the central story.
If Rajamouli succeeds, Varanasi could offer audiences an adventure that is as emotionally engaging as it is visually spectacular.
And perhaps that is precisely what makes this project worth watching: it promises to take audiences across different worlds, but its most important journey may be the one between its characters.
