A single comment from SS Karthikeya has pushed Varanasi deeper into the spotlight. At a time when SS Rajamouli’s next film with Mahesh Babu is already carrying enormous expectations, Karthikeya’s tease about its action being “crazy” has opened up a much bigger conversation, one that now stretches all the way to the Oscars’ upcoming stunt category. For a film mounted on scale, mystery and star power, that is the kind of spark that instantly gets the industry talking.
Ss Karthikeya Fuels The Oscar Stunt Conversation
Speaking to Thyview, Karthikeya opened up about the action design in Varanasi and made it clear that audiences should not expect a familiar Rajamouli template. He said, “It’s going to be crazy and a different kind of action. Not the kind of action that you saw in RRR or Baahubali. It’s a completely different kind of action, but you will be on the edge of your seat in every sequence. So let’s see.”
That tease lands at a fascinating moment. The Academy has already confirmed a new Achievement in Stunt Design category beginning with the 100th Academy Awards in 2028, honouring films released in 2027. Suddenly, a film like Varanasi, which is slated to release in theatres on April 7, 2027, fits neatly into a brand-new awards conversation. More than just adding prestige chatter, it raises expectations for how inventive and technically ambitious Rajamouli’s action world could be this time.
Why Varanasi Stands Out In Rajamouli’s Lineup
Varanasi marks Rajamouli’s first feature directorial venture after RRR, the global success that won the Oscar for Best Original Song with “Naatu Naatu.” The new film stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, with a story written by Vijayendra Prasad.
The project already carries a distinct pull because it brings together major names from different industries for a film positioned as a large-scale action adventure. Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ return to Indian cinema adds another layer of curiosity, while Prithviraj Sukumaran’s presence signals a story built with pan-Indian sweep in mind. For Rajamouli, the challenge now is not just following RRR, but doing so with a film that promises an entirely new action texture.
Mahesh Babu’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Mahesh Babu was last seen in Guntur Kaaram, which released in theatres on January 12, 2024. As of October 5, 2026, Varanasi remains his next confirmed release and his major upcoming theatrical project.
That matters because this Rajamouli collaboration arrives at a pivotal stage in Mahesh Babu’s career. Rather than another familiar star vehicle, Varanasi places him inside a filmmaker’s vision that routinely scales local storytelling into global event cinema. If Karthikeya’s latest tease is any indication, the film may not just mark Mahesh Babu’s return to theatres, but a major reinvention of how his screen presence is staged for worldwide audiences.
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