Nick Jonas Hails Priyanka Chopra's 'Incredible' Return to Indian Cinema in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi
Singer Nick Jonas has offered a rare and candid insight into his wife Priyanka Chopra's highly anticipated comeback to Indian cinema, revealing her extensive 14-month filming journey for director SS Rajamouli's upcoming epic, Varanasi. During an appearance on the Zach Sang Show to promote his new album Sunday Best, Jonas expressed immense excitement about the project, stating, "Priyanka has been shooting for the last 14 months on and off. It's a South Indian film by SS Rajamouli, who directed RRR. It's his next big film. It's gonna be incredible."
Priyanka Chopra's Long-Awaited Indian Film Comeback
For Priyanka Chopra, Varanasi marks a significant return to Indian cinema after a notable hiatus. Her last Bollywood appearance was in the critically acclaimed 2019 film The Sky Is Pink, while her most recent Telugu film dates back to 2013's Thoofan. In Rajamouli's magnum opus, she portrays the character Mandakini, described as a mysterious thief and explorer who skillfully bridges mythological and modern narratives, adding depth and intrigue to the storyline.
Nick Jonas' Admiration for Indian Cinema's Music Traditions
Beyond discussing his wife's career, Jonas used the platform to share his genuine fascination with the unique musical approaches in Indian cinema. He explained, "The melodies are just so incredible. They are on a scale that we are not as familiar with over here. The thing I love about Hindi music and music from Southeast Asia is that, a lot of the time, the music comes from a film and becomes famous." Jonas went on to highlight the distinctive playback singing tradition that has defined Indian cinema for generations, noting, "So often it's the actors who are lip-syncing to someone else's voice. But there are these music composers who specialise in making songs sound like big hits and fit cinematically. That's something very inspiring to me. There's so much great music in Indian cinema."
Details on Varanasi's Release and Production
Varanasi is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on April 7, 2027, coinciding with the auspicious occasion of Ram Navami. The production team officially unveiled the title at Hyderabad's Globetrotter event in November 2025, generating significant buzz. The accompanying teaser begins with breathtaking aerial shots of the holy city before transitioning to a gripping scene of a colossal space rock hurtling toward Earth. The footage culminates with Mahesh Babu's character Rudra astride a bull, trident in hand, promising an action-packed spectacle.
The film will be released in multiple languages, including Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada, and English, ensuring a wide reach across diverse audiences. Music for Varanasi is composed by Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani, who has previously collaborated with Rajamouli on blockbuster hits like RRR and the Baahubali series, further elevating expectations for the soundtrack.
