After Mahesh Babu, director SS Rajamouli took to his official X handle on Monday to pen a review of Priyanka Chopra Jonas' recent Hollywood outing, The Bluff. Priyanka Chopra is all set to make her much-awaited re-entry to Indian cinema with Varanasi, SS Rajamouli's big-budget action adventure, headlined by Mahesh Babu.
On X, Rajamouli wrote, "Priyanka is one of the few actors who can be utterly vulnerable at one moment and ferociously strong the next. The Bluff is another testament to her talent, with lots of kick-ass stunts as well. Enjoyed the setting and the pace. Congratulations to the team." (sic)
The Bluff, also starring Karl Urban, premiered on Prime Video last Thursday. The film is set in the late 1800s and stars Priyanka as Ercell Bodden, a former pirate trying to turn a new leaf by leaving behind her past. But ghosts of the past continue to haunt as a few former crew members track her down to take revenge for leaving their ranks and stealing a stash of gold.
Karl Urban stars as Captain Connor, who wants to destroy Bodden following her escape from the pirate world. Directed by Frank E Flowers, the film also stars Temuera Morrison, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Safia Oakley-Green, Zach Morris, David Field, and Vedanten Naidoo.
Varanasi, scheduled for release worldwide on April 7, 2027, stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha.
An animated teaser, which was released by the makers during the Globetrotter Event in November last year, hinted at the story being set across time periods and combining elements of the period adventure and science fiction genres. It showcased various places like the Ross Ice Shelf in Antarctica, the Amboseli Wilderness of Africa, the Ugrbhatti Cave in Vaananchal, and the Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. The teaser also travelled back in time to Varanasi of 512 BCE and also offered a glimpse of the Ramayana War, which could play a pivotal role in Varanasi. Details regarding the extended cast are currently kept under wraps.
