Mahesh Babu’s ‘Varanasi’ Unleashed: Rajamouli’s ₹1200 Cr Epic Gets Title, First Look, and OTTplay Connect
‘Varanasi’ Unveiled: Decoding the ₹1200 Crore Spectacle from SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu
The world of Indian cinema was recently set ablaze with the official unveiling of Superstar Mahesh Babu’s highly-anticipated collaboration with global visionary director S. S. Rajamouli. The film, long known under its working title ‘Globetrotter’ or ‘SSMB29’, has finally been christened ‘Varanasi’. This mega-budget epic, already being pegged as the most expensive project in Indian cinema history with a reported budget between ₹1,000 and ₹1,200 crore, has confirmed its title, a mythological and time-travel adventure plot, a stellar cast, and an ambitious 2027 release target. The entire reveal was a spectacle in itself, with the special launch event being streamed live on platforms like OTTplay Premium and JioHotstar, solidifying the movie’s global digital footprint right from its inception.
The Grand ‘Globetrotter’ Event: A Digital Landmark
The title reveal was not a simple press conference; it was a cinematic event of colossal scale, aptly titled ‘The Globetrotter Event,’ held at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad on November 15, 2025. Attended by close to a lakh fans and the entire cast and crew, the launch was a testament to the film’s monumental scale. What made the event a modern landmark was its unprecedented digital reach: the entire spectacle was made available for live streaming on digital platforms, including OTTplay Premium, making it one of the first movie title launch events of its kind to be premiered live on a streaming service.
Rajamouli, known for his masterful presentation, used the event to not only announce the title, ‘Varanasi,’ but also to drop the first teaser, introducing Mahesh Babu’s fierce first look as the character ‘Rudhra’. The teaser showcased a visually rich, mythology-tinged action drama, with the star, Mahesh Babu, depicted in a blood-drenched, intense avatar, riding a bull and gripping a trident—a powerful image that immediately cemented the film’s epic, mythological undertones.
Mahesh Babu as ‘Rudhra’ and the Global Cast Coup
The casting for ‘Varanasi’ is as grand as its budget. Leading the charge is Superstar Mahesh Babu, who essays the role of Rudhra. Rajamouli himself hinted at the mythological depth of the character, drawing parallels to Lord Rama and noting that Mahesh Babu possesses a unique blend of Lord Krishna’s charm and Lord Rama’s calmness. Rumours also suggest a potential dual role for Babu, or a narrative spanning multiple timelines, which would see him in different avatars.
Adding to the film’s global appeal is the inclusion of international star Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the female lead, reportedly named Mandakini. The surprise package, however, was the official introduction of Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran as the main antagonist, Kumbha. This stellar, pan-Indian and international ensemble cast ensures that ‘Varanasi’ is positioned not just as a regional blockbuster, but as a major global cinema event.
Plot Details: Time Travel, Ramayana, and the City of Lights
The title itself, ‘Varanasi,’ hints at the cultural and spiritual anchor of the massive adventure. The ancient city, considered the spiritual heart of Hinduism, forms a crucial backdrop for a key incident in the film. Due to the difficulties of shooting on location, Rajamouli’s team took the ambitious step of recreating a massive, authentic portion of Varanasi in Ramoji Film City, reportedly spending an astonishing ₹50 crore on the sets alone to ensure every detail was perfect.
While the full plot remains a closely guarded secret, the glimpses and director’s comments reveal several key elements:
- Globetrotting Action Adventure: Rajamouli described the film as a ‘globetrotting action adventure’ rooted in Indian cultural themes, taking inspiration from the stylistic lines of Indiana Jones.
- Time-Travel and Multiple Timelines: The film’s glimpse suggests a time-travel narrative, spanning eras such as 7200 BC, 512 CE, and other time periods across the globe.
- Ramayana Connection: Rajamouli confirmed that a significant, emotionally overwhelming sequence in the film is directly inspired by the Indian epic, the Ramayana. This sequence, which took 60 days to shoot, involves Mahesh Babu’s character going on a hunt for a special jadi buti (medicinal herbs/roots) across the world, echoing an incident from the Ramayana.
- Mythology and Fantasy: The narrative is set to blend mythology, devotion, and high fantasy, promising to transport the audience to a new world of epic visual storytelling.
The Road to 2027: Technical Brilliance and Release Strategy
The film is currently in the shooting phase, with key schedules wrapped up in Hyderabad (including the massive Varanasi set) and a fresh schedule planned for Kenya. Music composer M. M. Keeravani, the Oscar-winning maestro, is helming the score and has already created a ‘solid’ track for the film, with Rajamouli promising a stunner of a half-hour action sequence featuring Mahesh Babu.
In a clear sign of its global ambition, Rajamouli confirmed that ‘Varanasi’ is being made in a Premium Large Scale Format, specifically filmed for IMAX screens. This commitment to superior technical quality and a global presentation is key to its projected worldwide release. The team is currently eyeing a grand theatrical release in March or Summer 2027, strategically positioned to leverage long weekends like Ugadi and Ram Navami, and the subsequent summer holiday season for maximum global impact.
The OTT Landscape: Netflix vs. OTTplay
While the initial buzz surrounding the launch was dominated by the live stream on OTTplay Premium and JioHotstar, the final post-theatrical streaming rights appear to have been secured by a different major player. Reports indicate that the streaming giant Netflix has acquired the post-theatrical digital rights for ‘Varanasi’ in a record-breaking deal, solidifying the film’s massive commercial viability even before its release. However, OTTplay remains central to the film’s media narrative, having hosted the historic title and first look launch, ensuring that the platform was a key part of the movie’s first major global public engagement. The massive budget and star cast ensure that the film’s digital run will be one of the most-watched and highly anticipated OTT releases of the decade.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q1: What is the official title of the SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu movie?
A: The official title of the S. S. Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu film is ‘Varanasi’. It was previously referred to by the tentative titles ‘Globetrotter’ and ‘SSMB29’.
Q2: What is the budget and release date for the movie ‘Varanasi’?
A: ‘Varanasi’ is reported to be the most expensive Indian film ever, with an estimated budget of ₹1,000 to ₹1,200 crore. The film is currently targeting a worldwide theatrical release in Summer 2027, with some sources pointing to a March 2027 window.
Q3: Who are the main cast members of ‘Varanasi’?
A: The main cast includes Mahesh Babu (as Rudhra), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (as Mandakini), and Prithviraj Sukumaran (as the main villain, Kumbha). The music is composed by M. M. Keeravani.
Q4: What is the connection between ‘Varanasi’ and the OTTplay platform?
A: The film’s mega title and first look launch event, ‘The Globetrotter Event,’ was streamed live on OTTplay Premium and JioHotstar on November 15, 2025, marking one of the first movie launch events of its scale to be broadcast live on a streaming service.
Q5: What is the plot or genre of Mahesh Babu’s ‘Varanasi’?
A: ‘Varanasi’ is described as a Science Fiction Epic Action Adventure and a Globetrotting Action Adventure with a Time-Travel element. It is deeply rooted in Indian mythology, with Rajamouli confirming that a major sequence is inspired by the Ramayana. The film’s narrative is centered around a key incident set in the city of Varanasi.
Q6: Has the film secured its post-theatrical OTT streaming rights?
A: Yes, the post-theatrical streaming rights for ‘Varanasi’ have reportedly been acquired by Netflix for a record amount, making it one of the biggest non-theatrical deals in Indian cinema history.
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