SS Rajamouli has revealed that his upcoming film Varanasi is more than an ambitious time-travel adventure. Despite featuring mythological worlds, multiple timelines and spectacular locations, the Mahesh Babu-starrer will be driven by two deeply personal relationships: the emotional bond between a father and son and the love between a man and a woman.
Speaking to Brazilian YouTube channel ALMANAQUE21 during the 50th São Paulo International Film Festival, Rajamouli explained why he has deliberately avoided revealing the film’s complete storyline.
Varanasi Combines Time Travel, Mythology and Human Emotions
Rajamouli described Varanasi as an adventure that moves across Antarctica, Africa and the ancient Indian city of Varanasi before entering different historical and mythological periods.
The journey will also explore a world inhabited by gods and giants, incorporating elements from the Ramayana.
However, the filmmaker emphasized that the extraordinary settings are not the central purpose of the story.
“But everything is driven by the emotion of a father and son,” Rajamouli explained, also highlighting the romantic relationship at the heart of the adventure.
His comments suggest that the time-travel narrative will serve the characters’ emotional journeys rather than functioning solely as a vehicle for visual spectacle.
Importantly, Rajamouli has not disclosed which characters form the father-son relationship or explained how the romance connects to the film’s larger conflict.
Why Rajamouli Chose Adventure After RRR
During a separate interview with Brazilian entertainment outlet Omelete, Rajamouli discussed the origins of Varanasi.
He revealed that after completing each film, he discusses possible genres with his father, writer V. Vijayendra Prasad, and cousin S. S. Kanchi.
Following RRR, they decided to explore a globe-trotting adventure inspired partly by Indiana Jones, which Rajamouli considers his favourite film.
However, he explained that an emotional connection was essential before the screenplay could take shape.
This approach is consistent with his earlier films. Baahubali explored family loyalty and betrayal, while RRR combined large-scale action with friendship and conflicting responsibilities.
With Varanasi, the filmmaker appears to be extending that storytelling philosophy into science fiction and mythology.
Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Lead Varanasi
The film stars Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran as the antagonist Kumbha.
Its promotional footage has already teased elaborate landscapes, an asteroid-related catastrophe and a sequence inspired by the Ramayana, involving Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna.
Rajamouli explained that he chose to introduce the film through visual footage rather than a detailed synopsis because words alone could not adequately convey its scope.
Produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business, Varanasi also reunites Rajamouli with Oscar-winning composer M. M. Keeravani.
The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
While its time-travel mechanics and major plot twists remain undisclosed, Rajamouli’s latest comments establish one important expectation: beneath the extraordinary adventure, Varanasi will be a story about human relationships.
