SSMB29 Becomes ‘Varanasi’: Rajamouli Drops a Spectacle, Fans Go Wild
The stage was set, the fans were buzzing, and when the moment finally came, it was nothing short of cinematic thunder. The highly-anticipated event for Sony/Sri Durga Arts’ upcoming magnum opus — formerly referred to as SSMB29 or GlobeTrotter — finally made its big reveal: the official title is Varanasi. The event, held at the sprawling Ramoji Film City on 15 November 2025, marked a milestone in Indian cinema’s grand-scale storytelling.
The Event & Unveiling
From the outset, the organisers under director S. S. Rajamouli spared no effort. In fact, the entry pass was replaced with a passport-style booklet, embracing the “GlobeTrotter” theme.
Over 50,000 fans reportedly gathered at Ramoji to witness the spectacle live, while the title reveal and first look were streamed online for the rest of the world
The big moment: the screen lit up, the title Varanasi emerged in all its glory, and then a striking motion poster appeared — featuring lead actor Mahesh Babu riding a powerful bull, trident in hand, muscles taut, backdrop of myth and mystery swirling.
Character & Concept Glimpse
Rajamouli wasn’t just unveiling a title — he teased an entire world. Mahesh Babu was introduced as Rudhra, a rugged explorer-hero unlike anything the actor has played before.
The film also brings onboard global icon Priyanka Chopra Jonas (as Mandakini) and Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran (as Kumbha), setting up a mass-pan-Indian collaboration.
In his speech, Rajamouli revealed that a pivotal sequence elevates the story to mythic proportions — Mahesh Babu’s avatar draws on the charm of Krishna and the calm of Rama, suggesting that the film may reinterpret epic motifs for a modern audience.
Visuals & Ambition
The teaser/glimpse played at the event spanned time and space: from the ancient city of Varanasi to jungle terrains in Africa, from 512 CE to 2027 CE, even Antarctica making a dramatic appearance. The set design is reported to include a full recreation of Varanasi within Ramoji, and the film is being shot for IMAX in the truest sense.
Director Rajamouli also addressed a hiccup — a technical glitch delayed the full screening of the teaser, and he lamented footage leaked by a drone during testing, pointing to the immense stakes and scale of the project.
Reactions & Highlights
Social media exploded. One fan cried out in Telugu:
“Arey asalem jaruguthundi ra akkada. What the frame. MB on nandi (impressed).”
From the stage, Mahesh Babu pledged:
“I’ll make everyone proud! Most importantly, I’ll make my director proud. After Varanasi is released, the whole of India will be proud.”
Priyanka Chopra Jonas reflected:
“The energy tonight is electrifying… I am so glad to be back making this movie in my beloved India. The best and only way to join Telugu cinema is to do it with such greats.”
Prithviraj, moved by Rajamouli’s narration, said he was “mind-blown” within the first five minutes of the script – calling the scale and ambition “the best filmmaker in India again pushing his limits.
What This Means
With Varanasi, Rajamouli is signalling something beyond just another big film — it appears to be an action-mythology-adventure designed for global impact. The choice of title, blending the sacred Indian city Varanasi with a story that spans continents and epochs, hints at a bridging of local ethos and universal spectacle.
For Mahesh Babu, this marks his first collaboration with Rajamouli and perhaps a reinvention of his screen persona. For Indian cinema — particularly Telugu cinema — the barrage is clear: think big, think global, and tell stories that resonate mythically and theatrically.
What’s Next?The film is slated for a January 2027 release, according to the event introduction.More details are expected soon: full trailer drop, teaser roll-outs, international market strategies, and more glimpses of the cast and crew in action.
Source: Timesofindia.indiatimes