As expected, Mahesh Babu’s birthday has brought a special treat for fans of SS Rajamouli’s highly anticipated Varanasi. The makers have unveiled the first look of Mahesh Babu as Rudhra through two working stills from the film.
Both Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli shared the pictures on their social media accounts, officially introducing the superstar’s character to the audience.
Rajamouli described Rudhra as a character born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself. He carries a destiny he never asked for and is said to be witty, vulnerable, and fierce.
Rajamouli also praised Mahesh Babu’s performance, saying that while anyone can play a fierce character, very few can portray fierceness and fragility at the same time. According to the filmmaker, Mahesh brought that balance to Rudhra.
The first working still gives a close and intense look at Mahesh Babu. He is seen with long, messy hair and a rugged beard, dressed in a dark outfit. He turns back towards the camera with a serious yet curious expression. The natural landscape in the background adds to the adventurous feel of the character.
The second still presents Mahesh in a completely different mood. He is seen relaxing on a makeshift bamboo raft in the middle of a dense forest. Sporting the same rugged look, he appears more relaxed and playful in this picture. His outfit and surroundings suggest that Rudhra’s journey will take him through challenging and unexplored terrains.
Varanasi also stars Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran in key roles. The film is being mounted on a massive scale and is expected to be one of the biggest Indian films ever made.
However, there is one problem with this birthday treat.
Fans were expecting much more than two working stills. Mahesh Babu’s look had already been revealed in the first glimpse, so there was hardly anything new for fans to discover. The new pictures certainly give a better idea about Rudhra’s appearance and personality, but they don’t provide the new content many were hoping for.
For a film as massive as Varanasi and a collaboration as big as Mahesh Babu and Rajamouli, expectations were naturally much higher. The makers have delivered a birthday update, but whether it was enough to satisfy the superstar’s fans is another question.
Varanasi is scheduled to hit theatres on April 7, 2027.
