In a fascinating behind-the-scenes revelation, actor Mahesh Babu has shared a remarkable story about co-star Prithviraj Sukumaran's challenging experience during the filming of the highly anticipated movie Varanasi. The anecdote emerged during a promotional interview where the cast discussed their work with visionary director SS Rajamouli.
The Unforgettable Fly Scene
During a recent conversation with Collider on YouTube, Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran delved into their experiences on the sets of the upcoming film, which is scheduled for release in 2027. The discussion took an interesting turn when the topic of Prithviraj's physically demanding role came up.
Prithviraj plays the main antagonist Kumbha in Varanasi, a character confined to a wheelchair. What makes his performance particularly challenging is that his character's hands and legs are bound, requiring the actor to remain completely immobile during certain scenes.
Mahesh Babu's Revelation
Mahesh Babu eagerly jumped into the conversation when the interviewer asked about acting without the use of limbs. "I am glad that you asked this," Mahesh began, "because there was this one day of shooting where he had this long monologue."
The Telugu superstar continued with vivid detail: "But he had flies all over his face, and the poor guy couldn't do anything about it; he couldn't move. For this one shot he literally prayed for the flies to not bother him. I think they heard his prayers."
Prithviraj's Perspective
Prithviraj Sukumaran then explained the technical aspects of his constrained performance. "To make sure that I don't involuntarily move my arms and legs, they are sort of locked in place by a mechanism," the actor revealed. "I can truly then be sure that, 'whatever I do, I am not going to be moving my hands or legs.' Which then also means that if a fly comes on my nose..."
The Malayalam star elaborated on his character's complexity: "But yeah, there's a lot more to the wheelchair than what you see in the picture. It's an extension of his personality and how he works. He is a very dangerous man; he just happens to be incapacitated."
Rajamouli's Villain Obsession
The conversation naturally progressed to director SS Rajamouli's approach to character development, particularly his villains. Hearing the depth of thought put behind the antagonist, the host pointed out that Rajamouli genuinely loves his villains.
To illustrate this point, Mahesh Babu shared another revealing anecdote about the acclaimed director. "I have an elephant memory, and I remember everything," Mahesh stated. "Before he narrated this story, and this was one of the early meetings... During RRR, he was asking me about what kind of a film we want to make. We hadn't zeroed in on a script yet."
Mahesh continued with the telling exchange: "He finished lunch, and he asked me, 'Do you have anything in mind?' I thought, What do I tell him? I mean, his vision is so big. When he left, I messaged him and said, 'I am just very happy that I am doing this film with you. I really like how you present your heroes; you really love them.' He said, 'Thank you, but I love my villains more.'"
Anticipation Builds for Varanasi
The promotional activities for Varanasi have already begun generating significant buzz among fans of Indian cinema, particularly within the Telugu film industry. With a star-studded cast that includes Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran under the direction of SS Rajamouli, expectations are running high for this 2027 release.
These behind-the-scenes stories offer a glimpse into the dedication required from actors working on a Rajamouli project and the director's unique approach to character development. From Prithviraj's physically constrained performance to Rajamouli's confessed preference for villains, Varanasi promises to be another cinematic spectacle from one of India's most celebrated filmmakers.
