S.S. Rajamouli’s Varanasi is shaping up as a large-scale adventure blending mythology, time travel, action and globe-spanning locations. Yet, despite its visual ambition, the director has repeatedly indicated that the film’s real strength lies in its emotional core, especially the relationship between a father and son.

Emotion at the Heart of Varanasi

While Varanasi is being discussed as an epic adventure spread across different time periods and locations such as Africa and Antarctica, Rajamouli has stressed that the emotional foundation of the film is far more important than its spectacle. The story reportedly spans thousands of years and includes mythology, fantasy and time-travel elements, but the director has repeatedly highlighted the father-son relationship as the central emotional thread. This suggests that Varanasi may follow Rajamouli’s familiar strength of combining grand-scale filmmaking with deeply rooted human emotions.

Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Add a Romantic Layer

Mahesh Babu is said to play Rudhra, while Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini. Their characters are expected to share a strong romantic connection, adding another emotional dimension to the narrative. Although the film is packed with mythology and adventure, the relationship between Rudhra and Mandakini could become an important part of the story. If handled with the emotional depth Rajamouli is known for, the romantic track may help balance the film’s massive action and fantasy portions with more personal and relatable moments.

Prakash Raj Plays Mahesh Babu’s Father

Prakash Raj is also part of the film and has confirmed that he plays a devoted follower of Lord Shiva and the father of Mahesh Babu’s character. His role appears to be closely connected to the father-son emotion that Rajamouli has repeatedly spoken about. The bond between these two characters could therefore become one of the film’s strongest dramatic elements. With spirituality, mythology and family emotion coming together, the relationship may carry significant weight in the overall narrative.

Spectacle May Attract, Emotion Could Define the Film

The scale of Varanasi is likely to be one of its biggest attractions, with audiences expecting ambitious visuals, action and imaginative world-building from Rajamouli. However, the director’s comments suggest that emotional engagement will ultimately determine how strongly the film connects with viewers. If audiences become invested in the father-son bond, the romance and the characters’ personal journeys, Varanasi could become much more than a visual spectacle. The grandeur may bring viewers to theatres, but the emotional storytelling could be what keeps them deeply involved in the experience.