Excitement for SS Rajamouli's next cinematic spectacle, 'Varanasi', has surged after a key cast member shared a major update. Veteran actor Prakash Raj announced he has finished shooting a schedule for the highly anticipated film, which stars Tollywood icon Mahesh Babu.
Prakash Raj's Exhilarating Schedule Wrap
Taking to his social media platform X, Prakash Raj expressed his joy at completing a part of the ambitious project. He wrote about wrapping up a wonderful schedule, describing the experience as a joy to the hungry actor within him. The actor extended his gratitude to director SS Rajamouli, co-star Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Priyanka Chopra, calling the work exhilarating. He also mentioned his eagerness to resume the next schedule.
This post sent fans into a frenzy. The comment section was flooded with enthusiastic responses. One user predicted that the combination of a hungry actor and Rajamouli's vision would result in pure cinema magic. Another celebrated the on-screen combo of Mahesh Babu and Prakash Raj with fire emojis.
Speculation Over Character and Casting Shift
While the makers have not officially revealed Prakash Raj's character, intense speculation has taken over online forums. A prevailing fan theory suggests he will be playing the role of Mahesh Babu's father in the film. This speculation was fueled by a direct question from a netizen asking if he was playing Mahesh Babu's father role again.
This rumour gained further traction from a recent industry report. According to a Deccan Chronicle article, director SS Rajamouli was considering replacing actor Rajat Kapoor, who was initially signed to portray Mahesh Babu's father. The report indicated that Prakash Raj was expected to step into that role. It is crucial to note, however, that the production team has made no official announcement regarding Prakash Raj's character.
All About the Magnum Opus 'Varanasi'
'Varanasi' is shaping up to be a monumental project in Indian cinema. The film is billed as a mythological action-adventure thriller. Mahesh Babu is reportedly playing a traveller named Rudhra, a character drawing inspiration from iconic figures like Indiana Jones and Lord Ram. The actor is said to be sporting a new look with a huge muscular physique, long hair, and a beard.
The stellar cast includes global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the female lead, Mandakini, and acclaimed actor Prithviraj Sukumaran as the primary antagonist, Kumbha. The musical score will be composed by the Oscar-winning maestro M. M. Keeravani. With a staggering budget reported to be over Rs 1300 crore, the film is one of the most expensive Indian productions ever undertaken. The grand release is scheduled for 2027, and the recent update has only heightened the anticipation among cinephiles worldwide.
