Celebrated Indian director SS Rajamouli has unveiled the title and first look of “Varanasi”, his highly anticipated sequel to the Academy Award-winning “RRR.”
The filmmaker revealed the sneak peek at a launch event in Hyderabad, introducing the project headlined by Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas along with Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The night skies above Ramoji Film City roared as 50,000 fans gathered to catch a glimpse of Mahesh Babu, chanting “Jai Babu, Jai Jai Babu,” as the title reveal event got off to a rousing start.
While Priyanka essays the role of Mandakini, Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra.
The film spans thousands of years, from ancient times to the modern day. One of the sequences is inspired by a chapter from Indian epic “Ramayana,” Rajamouli said.
“Since childhood I’ve thought many times about making a Mahabharata-level dream project. Even when starting this film, I planned that I must take one major pillar from the Ramayana,” the filmmaker said.
Several sequences in the film are shot in the Imax format, some of which were showcased on the 100-foot LED screen.
“This is Indian cinema’s biggest brand, flexing his ambition and the team of technicians and actors going all out to make sure that he reaches that pinnacle he’s aiming for,” Sukumaran said. “This is SS Rajamouli once again, taking Indian cinema to the world, this time bigger, hopefully better and definitely more audacious than ever before.”
Priyanka added: “Rajamouli sir, all I will say is you are truly the visionary that has brought Indian cinema to the globe like no one else has before. So, I thank you so much for choosing me as your Mandakini.”
The loudest cheers were reserved for Mahesh Babu who said: “I’ll make everyone proud. Most importantly, I’ll make my director the most proud. The whole of India will be proud of us.”