Prithviraj Sukumaran on Varanasi: What truly took my breath away was the audacity of SS Rajamouli’s imagination

Malayalam actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran’s look from SS Rajamouli’s much-awaited Mahesh Babu starrer, Varanasi, may have been the subject of intense trolling, with netizens comparing his character Kumbha as a mix of Stephen Hawking in a wheelchair and the Spider-Man villain Doctor Octopus (Doc Ock). But if the awe and admiration in his voice at the film’s Globetrotter event was anything to go by, audiences are going to be blown away by the film.

Prithviraj was working on his own directorial when he was approached by Rajamouli, via text, that read, ‘Hi Prithvi, the character of the antagonist in my next film has come out exceedingly well and is one of the finest characters that I have conceived. Would you be interested in doing it?’ He got back with a seemingly nonchalant “Sure Sir”, but knew that the filmmaker caught the excitement in him.

“A few days later, I was at his office with the most beautiful German shepherd for company and the famous SS Rajamouli narration that my friend Prabhas has told me so much about started. Five minutes into the narration, I was blown away and for the rest of the 3 hours, I listened, not as an actor hearing a narration pitch, but more like a little boy who has got his hands on the next edition of his favourite comic book,” he said.

With Varanasi, India’s greatest contemporary mainstream filmmaker is pushing his own limits to never-before-seen-territory in terms of the scale the vision and the ambition. “But what truly took my breath away was the audacity of the imagination. How does someone think like this? Where do you find the inspiration to picturize something like this?” said Prithviraj, telling audiences that they will remember what he said about the first 5 minutes of the narration when they see the film in theatres.

Prithviraj added that being a part of an SS Rajamouli film must be on the bucket list of pretty much every actor and that he’s immensely thankful for being trusted with one of the most complex, physically and emotionally challenging characters that he has ever thought of. “Thank you, sir for the trust, for the belief, for the absolutely torturous shooting process; I would not have it any other way,” he said.

Then, turning his attention to the film’s leading man, Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj added, “If my memory serves me right, the first Telugu film I ever saw in a theatre was Pokkiri. From then to now, the way you have owned your heritage, ad the way you have built your own legacy is truly awe inspiring. For the superstar that you are, you truly deserve this film and this film truly deserves you.”

Varanasi also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who, Prithviraj said, he is a bag fan of. “Jhilmil from Barfi is on my list of the greatest performances by an Indian actor ever and it is a privilege to watch you transform into Mandakini in such close quarters,” he said, winding up his speech stating that Varanasi is Indian cinema’s biggest brand (SS Rajamouli) flexing its ambition and a team of technicians and actors going all to make sure that he reaches that pinnacle he is aiming for.

Also Read: Globetrotter event: SS Rajamouli set to announce mega release date of Mahesh Babu starrer?

“To attain those lofty aspirations, we need the audience to believe in us, to spur us on, and take pride in what we are attempting. This is SS Rajamouli once again taking Indian cinema to the world; this time bigger, hopefully better, definitely more audacious than ever before,” he signed off.

FAQs

Q. When will the first look of Mahesh Babu-Rajamouli be out?

A. The first look of the Mahesh Babu-Rajamouli film will be out on November 15, 2025

Q. Who is playing the female lead in Mahesh Babu's next?

A. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays the female lead in Mahesh Babu's next, tentatively titled Globetrotter.

Q. When will Vilayath Buddha release?

A. Prithviraj Sukumaran's Vilayath Buddha will release on November 21.