What Is S.S. Rajamouli’s Varanasi Movie About?

Richa Verma
7 days ago
3 min read

Man fiercely rides a bull in a dusty, temple-filled landscape, holding a trident. Sand and debris fill the air, creating a dramatic scene. — Still of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra from Varanasi via YouTube

When S.S. Rajamouli, the maker of Bahubali and RRR, announces a movie, the entire country drops everything for just a title reveal. So when he officially announced his next mega-project, the Varanasi movie, which was previously introduced under the working name GlobeTrotter, the internet exploded. And honestly? With Rajamouli + Mahesh Babu + a first-of-its-kind global adventure, how could it not?

Let’s break it all down - the plot clues, the cast buzz, the Varanasi mystique, the behind-the-scenes drama, and that wild grand event where Ashish Chanchlani unexpectedly stole the spotlight.

Varanasi is the GlobeTrotter: they’re the same movie!

There’s been confusion online:

Is Rajamouli making two films - the Varanasi movie and GlobeTrotter?

Nope. It’s just one movie, two names.

“GlobeTrotter” was the project code name, used during the early development and pre-production stage. At the mega Hyderabad event, Rajamouli revealed the final, official title: VARANASI.

Now that that’s out of the way, let’s get into the good stuff.

So what’s the Varanasi movie about?

What we know so far is that Varanasi is a pan-world action-adventure film. Think Indiana Jones meets RRR energy! Mahesh Babu plays an intense, globally travelling protagonist named Rudhra, reportedly a kind of rugged explorer with a strong spiritual thread.

The title “Varanasi” isn’t random. The city is expected to play a key thematic anchor, representing Indian mythology, alternate timelines, ancient civilizations, and spiritual mystery that begins in Varanasi, containing rebirth, fate, and karma. The film’s emotional and philosophical core is deeply rooted in the city.

The movie will be shot across multiple countries like India, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe with VFX sequences unlike anything seen in Indian cinema. It indeed sounds like a globetrotting epic.

Rajamouli is reportedly creating a world where science and mysticism clash, and the action sequences are said to be unlike anything attempted in Indian cinema so far.

A massive star-studded cast

Rajamouli movies are known for iconic casting, and the Varanasi movie is no exception.

Mahesh Babu as Rudhra — an intense, rugged adventurer

Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini — sharp-witted, layered, emotionally strong

Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha — the enigmatic wildcard

Mahesh Babu and other off-screen powers behind it

Mahesh Babu has gone silent-beast mode for this film. His bulked-up, rugged new look, long hair, and physically intense prep have caused commotion on social media.

Rajamouli + Mahesh Babu is a combination fans have waited over a decade for. Add in Vijayendra Prasad’s writing, MM Keeravani’s music, and Hollywood stunt choreographers, and suddenly we’re not talking about a film; we’re talking about an event.

The mega event: How Ashish Chanchlani unexpectedly came into the picture

Here’s the fun bit.

At the massive GlobeTrotter turned Varanasi movie launch event, which had thousands of fans packed into the venue, YouTuber Ashish Chanchlani was one of the official hosts. And did he create a moment? Oh yes.

He shared a BTS picture with Mahesh Babu, calling him an “absolute legend.”

He said the event felt “wholesome” and that Telugu fans made him feel “at home.”

At one point, he even yelled “Jai Babu!” that instantly memed everywhere.

Some loved him for bringing youthful energy, while some felt the event was “too big” for a YouTuber host. But either way, he got people talking, and it added unexpected spice to a grand Bollywood–Tollywood fusion moment.

A bonus? Rajamouli’s storytelling teaser + Mahesh Babu lifting a trident on stage sent fans into meltdown.