SS Rajamouli has revealed new details about Mahesh Babu’s character Rudhra from the upcoming action-adventure film Varanasi. On Mahesh Babu’s birthday, the filmmaker shared two new stills from the film, offering a glimpse into the different shades of the character.
Rajamouli described Rudhra as a character created to fulfil a much larger purpose and said the role combines humour, vulnerability and intense power. He also praised Mahesh Babu for bringing together contrasting emotions in the character.
According to Rajamouli, Rudhra carries a destiny that he did not choose for himself. The filmmaker said that while many actors can portray a powerful character, only a few can convincingly combine fierceness with emotional vulnerability, and he considers Mahesh Babu one of them.
The newly released stills were shot during the film’s Africa schedule. Rajamouli revealed that the team filmed around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Maasai Mara, with the natural landscapes providing a visual scale that would have been difficult to recreate entirely through artificial sets.
Rajamouli also spoke about the experience of filming in Africa, saying the landscapes left a strong impression on him. He highlighted the challenge of capturing the vast surroundings within the 1.43:1 IMAX frame.
“Rudhra was born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself,” Rajamouli said while describing the character. His comments have added further interest around Mahesh Babu’s role and the visual ambition of Varanasi.
Varanasi is directed by S. S. Rajamouli and stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film is being mounted as a large-scale action-adventure project and is scheduled for theatrical release in 2027.
