S.S. Rajamouli’s sci-fi adventure Varanasi brings Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra together in a story blending time travel, mythology and large-scale action. The director has explained how the Ramayana will be woven into the main narrative rather than presented as a separate episode.

Rajamouli Targets Audiences Around the World

Following the international success of his earlier films, Rajamouli is positioning Varanasi as a global cinematic experience. The filmmaker has been discussing the project through international interviews, introducing overseas audiences to its scale and distinctive combination of science fiction and Indian mythology. Mahesh Babu leads the film, while Priyanka Chopra plays an important role in the ambitious adventure.

Mahesh Babu Plays Rudra in a Time-Travel Story

Rajamouli revealed that Varanasi follows a common man named Rudra, portrayed by Mahesh Babu, whose journey moves across different periods through time travel. One crucial part of the story takes him back to the era of the Ramayana. In these sequences, Mahesh Babu will also appear as Lord Rama, giving the actor a mythological dimension within the wider science-fiction narrative. The combination is expected to connect Rudra’s journey with a larger historical and spiritual canvas.

Ramayana Sequences Woven Into the Main Narrative

The director clarified that the Ramayana material will not unfold as one lengthy standalone episode or conventional flashback. Instead, the portions have been divided into smaller episodes and subplots that will appear at different stages of the central story. This structure allows the epic to influence the characters and events throughout the film. By spreading the mythological sections across the narrative, Rajamouli aims to make the Ramayana an essential element rather than a diversion from Rudra’s adventure.

A Bold Blend of Mythology and Science Fiction

Varanasi is shaping up as one of Rajamouli’s most ambitious projects, combining futuristic ideas, time travel, action and the emotional power of a revered Indian epic. Mahesh Babu’s transformation from an ordinary man into a figure connected with Lord Rama is expected to be a major highlight. Priyanka Chopra’s presence also strengthens the project’s international appeal. With the Ramayana portions designed as recurring narrative threads, Varanasi promises a layered experience in which mythology directly shapes the larger sci-fi journey.