SS Rajamouli's Varanasi, headlined by Mahesh Babu is one of the most anticipated projects in recent times. The film features a star-studded cast which also includes Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. While not many details have been revealed as of now, production for the film is progressing at a brisk pace at various locations across the world.
In a recent interview, Prithviraj has spilled the beans on working with SS Rajamouli and recalled one time when one of their shots took over 90 takes. "This is not an exaggeration. For one particular shot in the film, Mahesh Babu and I started shooting it in the morning. I am not sure if it was take 94 or 97. We started working in the morning and came for a lunch break, because he didn't get the shot right. Just when we thought we will have a second mouthful of food, he calls us back on set. We started again and it went on till 6.30 pm or 7 pm," he shared to The Hollywood Reporter India. Interestingly, Rajamouli was not convinced with the shot and asked the actors to come back on sets the next day again to shoot for the same.
The actor, who portrays the antagonist Kumbha, a wheelchair-bound dangerous character, further shared his deep admiration and massive praise for the filmmaker. He called him the "hardest-working director he has worked with." Prithviraj described him as a "pathbreaker" and compared his approach to that of a "young filmmaker who had to wait 20-30 years to make his first film".
Prithviraj recalled being amazed by Rajamouli's work ethic on set. "For a 7 am shoot, by the time Mahesh, Priyanka and I reached the location, everything would already be in place," he said, noting that the director would have completed multiple rehearsals with his assistants, set up the camera crane, and ironed out every detail before the actors arrived.
Wondering how early Rajamouli started his day, Prithviraj asked him about his arrival time. "He told me he had been there since 5.15 am," the actor shared. When he offered to report earlier as well, Rajamouli reportedly told him to simply stick to his scheduled call time. According to Prithviraj, Rajamouli's commitment extends beyond the start of the day. The filmmaker is often the last person to leave the set after filming wraps, while even lunch breaks during the shoot were "barely 20 minutes long."
Varanasi, scheduled for release worldwide on April 7, 2027, stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra and Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini.
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, Amboseli Wilderness of Africa, 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 is currently kept under wraps.
