SS Rajamouli’s ambitious project Varanasi continues to dominate discussions among cinema lovers, and recent comments from lead actor Mahesh Babu have added a major talking point to the buzz. After the makers officially locked April 7, 2027, as the release date, interviews from the film’s promotional journey began surfacing. In one such conversation, Mahesh Babu openly addressed the long-running speculation around the storyline and confirmed that Varanasi does explore the concept of time travel. This revelation has heightened expectations for what is already considered one of the most awaited Indian films in production, especially given that it marks Mahesh Babu’s first collaboration with director SS Rajamouli.

Mahesh Babu shared that despite being associated with Rajamouli’s name for nearly 15 years, the director had never narrated a story to him during that period. Even after the massive success of RRR, there was a long silence, with Rajamouli taking time off before committing to his next project. When the narration of Varanasi finally happened, the actor said it left a lasting impression on him. He explained that the film combines action, adventure, mythology, and time travel in a way that is new not just for him, but also for Rajamouli as a filmmaker. The scale and imagination of the script initially made him nervous, but he soon felt reassured by the director’s structured approach and confidence. According to Mahesh Babu, working on Varanasi has been an exciting learning experience, and he now feels deeply immersed in the world Rajamouli has created.

The teaser for Varanasi had earlier sparked widespread discussion, showing Mahesh Babu’s character Rudhra in different parts of the world, with visual timestamps hinting at multiple timelines. While the director avoided confirming these theories at the time, stating that the teaser was meant to hide subtle clues, Mahesh Babu’s recent confirmation has brought clarity. The film also stars Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha. Music for the film is composed by Oscar winner MM Keeravani, with the story written by V Vijayendra Prasad. With its bold mix of mythology and time travel, Varanasi is shaping up to be a cinematic event that could set new benchmarks for Indian storytelling on a global scale.