Priyanka Chopra Jonas Shares Fascinating Behind-the-Scenes Stories from 'Varanasi' Kenya Filming Schedule
SS Rajamouli's upcoming magnum opus 'Varanasi' continues to generate immense anticipation across Indian cinema circles, and actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas has now offered fresh insights into the film's challenging yet spectacular Kenya shooting schedule. In a recent interview, the global star revealed captivating anecdotes about filming amidst Kenya's wilderness, drawing unexpected parallels to iconic cinematic moments.
Filming Amidst Wildebeest Migration: A 'Lion King' Moment
Priyanka Chopra described how the filming experience in Kenya's vast landscapes felt remarkably similar to a dramatic scene from Disney's classic 'The Lion King'. "You remember when Mufasa dies in 'The Lion King', right? Do you remember the sound of the wildebeest? So that was all around us," the actress told Cinema Blend during her revealing conversation.
The production team deliberately scheduled the Kenya shoot to coincide with the annual wildebeest migration period, with director SS Rajamouli determined to capture this natural phenomenon authentically. "In the middle of real wildebeest because it was during the migration period, and that's what he wanted," Priyanka recalled, emphasizing the director's commitment to realism.
Adapting to Nature's Schedule
The entire cast and crew had to demonstrate remarkable flexibility, adjusting their shooting plans according to the animals' migration patterns. "He wanted specifically. So we kept moving our shoot because the animals weren't starting to migrate. And as soon as their migration process started, the whole crew picked up, and we went there, shot," Priyanka explained, highlighting the production's dedication to capturing genuine moments.
Despite filming amidst potentially dangerous wildlife, safety remained paramount throughout the schedule. "We had rangers around us, but because our frames were so wide and they had to be out of frame," the actress noted, describing the careful balance between authenticity and security.
Elephant Encounters and Government Support
Co-star Mahesh Babu shared additional wildlife encounters during the Kenya schedule, recalling a memorable moment with elephants. "There's a family of elephants going. Oh my gosh, and we kept following them," the Telugu superstar revealed.
Priyanka Chopra elaborated on how these elephant families became integral to their scenes. "Wherever the elephants went, they had to be in our background. And we had to do this scene like banter of talking to each other, and you can see the family of elephants right behind us and they were all real."
The actress praised the Kenyan government's exceptional support, stating, "The government of Kenya really, really helped us shoot the way I don't think that's been shot ever before," suggesting the film might feature unprecedented wildlife cinematography.
Film Details and Runtime Confirmation
'Varanasi' features an impressive ensemble cast including Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in pivotal roles. Despite earlier speculation about the film being a two-part saga similar to Rajamouli's 'Baahubali', the director has clarified that 'Varanasi' will be a single-part film with a confirmed runtime of three hours.
"We considered it briefly, and we quickly dropped the idea. It's a one-part film," Rajamouli stated, putting all rumors to rest while confirming the substantial duration of this highly anticipated cinematic venture.
