Stepping into myth is never simple — and Mahesh Babu knows it. For Varanasi, the superstar transforms into Rudhra, a character inspired by Lord Ram, under the exacting vision of S. S. Rajamouli. In a recent interview, Mahesh opened up about the intense, months-long preparation that went into embodying the role — from martial arts to re-learning how to run.
Posture Before Power: Rajamouli’s Method
Mahesh revealed that Rajamouli’s process begins at the fundamentals. Every movement — how the character stands, walks, and holds himself — had to feel right for a figure of such cultural and symbolic weight.
To achieve that, the actor trained for two to three months in Kalaripayattu (Kalari), the traditional martial art from Kerala, focusing primarily on posture, balance, and body alignment. The goal wasn’t flash; it was authenticity.
Six Months for Two Shots
The prep didn’t stop there. Rajamouli wanted Mahesh to change his running technique — a detail most audiences might never consciously notice. Mahesh trained with a professional track-and-field team for six months, all for what he says amounted to just two shots in the film.
For him, that level of commitment wasn’t a burden. “When you’re in that mindset,” he explained, “it’s fun. You don’t look at it as hard work.” It’s a telling insight into the kind of discipline Rajamouli expects — and the kind Mahesh embraced.
What the Teaser Already Promised
The recently released teaser hints at the scale of that preparation. Mahesh’s Rudhra appears wielding a trishul, bloodied, and riding a bull — imagery that blends mythology with raw physicality. It’s not just a performance; it’s a presence the film is building around.
Cast, Music, and the Epic Scale
Varanasi also stars Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha. The music is composed by Oscar-winner M. M. Keeravani, with the story penned by V. Vijayendra Prasad — a team that signals mythic ambition on a massive canvas.
Final Words
Mahesh Babu’s preparation for Varanasi underlines what makes a Rajamouli film different: precision over spectacle, even when spectacle is inevitable. Months of training for details that may last seconds on screen speak to a shared belief — that myth demands discipline, not shortcuts.
If the teaser is anything to go by, Rudhra won’t just look powerful. He’ll move like someone forged for legend.
