Director S.S. Rajamouli has offered fans a fresh look at Priyanka Chopra Jonas in his upcoming epic action-adventure Varanasi, unveiling two new stills of the actress as Mandakini. The images were released on Saturday, July 18, to mark Chopra’s birthday, introducing audiences to one of the film’s central characters ahead of its 2027 release.
Sharing the stills on social media, Rajamouli teased the dual nature of the character with the caption: “Grace when she smiles. Fire when she doesn’t. Mandakini…” The images reflect that contrast, with one showing Chopra smiling against a picturesque outdoor backdrop, while the other presents her in a more intense, battle-ready avatar, hinting at the strength and complexity of her role.
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Varanasi marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema following her last Hindi feature, The Sky Is Pink (2019). It is also her first collaboration with Rajamouli and her first film alongside Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, who leads the project as Rudhra. The film also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha, the story’s primary antagonist.
According to the official synopsis, Varanasi is a globe-spanning action-adventure that unfolds across thousands of years, taking audiences from Antarctica and Africa to the ancient city of Varanasi in India. While plot details remain under wraps, the film is expected to blend mythology, history, and large-scale adventure, continuing Rajamouli’s reputation for ambitious cinematic storytelling.
Varanasi marks S.S. Rajamouli’s first feature since RRR (2022), the epic action drama that became a global phenomenon and introduced Telugu cinema to an even wider international audience. The film made history as the first Indian feature to win an Academy Award, earning Best Original Song for “Naatu Naatu” at the 95th Academy Awards. It also won a Golden Globe for the song and received widespread acclaim from filmmakers including Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and the Russo brothers, further cementing Rajamouli’s reputation as one of world cinema’s leading blockbuster directors.
Widely regarded as one of the most influential filmmakers in Indian cinema, Rajamouli has built an extraordinary career with a succession of commercial and critical successes, including Magadheera, Eega, the landmark Baahubali duology, and RRR. His films are known for combining mythological influences, emotionally driven storytelling, large-scale action, and cutting-edge visual effects, helping pioneer the modern pan-Indian blockbuster and setting new benchmarks for Indian cinema worldwide. A recipient of the Padma Shri, Rajamouli was also named among TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in 2023.
Reuniting with the filmmaker once again is Oscar-winning composer M.M. Keeravani, Rajamouli’s longtime creative collaborator who has composed the music for every one of the director’s feature films. Their decades-long partnership has produced some of Indian cinema’s most memorable soundtracks, from Magadheera and the Baahubali films to the Oscar-winning “Naatu Naatu” from RRR. Keeravani returns to score Varanasi, continuing one of the industry’s most enduring director-composer collaborations.
The film has been mounted on an equally ambitious production scale. Principal photography has taken place across multiple countries over approximately 14 months, including sequences filmed in Kenya’s Maasai Mara featuring real wildlife. Rajamouli has also collaborated with IMAX to utilize a new generation of film cameras, making Varanasi one of the first major narrative features to be photographed entirely on IMAX film.
Although Disney-style character reveals have become increasingly common in blockbuster marketing, Rajamouli has opted for a measured rollout, gradually introducing audiences to the film’s principal characters without revealing key story details. The latest images position Mandakini as both graceful and formidable, suggesting she will play a pivotal role in the film’s expansive narrative.
Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027, Varanasi is already among the most anticipated Indian films in development. With Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran leading the cast, and Rajamouli returning after the international success of RRR, the film continues to build momentum with every new reveal.
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