Even by SS Rajamouli standards, Varanasi has become the kind of film that generates headlines without dropping a single official still. The latest spark came not from the makers, but from a cinema hall in Andhra Pradesh, where a digital poster showing Mahesh Babu dressed as Lord Rama suddenly appeared and quickly set social media into overdrive.
With the team maintaining tight secrecy around the film’s visuals, the unexpected display has sent fans scanning every pixel, debating whether it is a leak, fan art, or simply an overenthusiastic theatre move that got ahead of an official campaign.
The Theatre Poster That Reignited The Buzz
A theatre in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, displayed a digital hoarding for Varanasi featuring Mahesh Babu as “Sri Ram”. The image shows the actor in a Lord Rama-inspired look, holding a bow and gazing out over the sea, alongside the film’s logo. Since the production has not released any official poster with Mahesh Babu in this avatar, the theatre display instantly became a talking point online.
As of now, there is no official confirmation that the displayed visual is an authorised promotional asset from the makers. What is confirmed is that Rajamouli has publicly spoken about Mahesh Babu portraying Lord Rama in a significant portion of the story.
Rajamouli Confirms A Ramayana Episode And A Long Shoot Schedule
During the film’s title and launch event held on November 15, 2025, Rajamouli revealed that Mahesh Babu plays Lord Rama in Varanasi and that the team filmed a Ramayana episode for 60 days. Rajamouli also described his reaction to seeing Mahesh in costume for a photoshoot, saying, “On the first day, when Mahesh came in Lord Rama’s get-up for the photoshoot, I got goosebumps. I was torn. Mahesh has the charm of Krishna, but the calmness of Rama. Still, I was confident. I even set that photo as my wallpaper and then removed it.”
Mahesh Babu has also spoken about the preparation involved, sharing that Rajamouli demanded precision for the part. He described working on posture, gait, and fine detailing, and said he trained in Kalaripayattu for three months.
Where Varanasi Stands Right Now
Varanasi is directed by SS Rajamouli and stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, with Prakash Raj also playing a pivotal role. The film is produced by KL Narayana and SS Karthikeya under Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business. It is slated for a worldwide theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
Mahesh Babu’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Mahesh Babu’s last major theatrical releases include Sarkaru Vaari Paata (2022) and Guntur Kaaram (2024). Guntur Kaaram also began streaming on Netflix in 2024 after its theatrical run. As of February 2026, Mahesh Babu’s biggest confirmed upcoming theatrical project is Rajamouli’s Varanasi, positioned as a globe-trotting action adventure with a mythological layer that includes the Lord Rama portion. With his filmography carefully paced in recent years, Varanasi is clearly being framed as a long-haul, event-scale pivot for the superstar.
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