Varanasi Shooting Update: SS Rajamouli Completes 90% Of Shoot As Mahesh Babu Wraps Major Portions

The latest Varanasi shooting update suggests that SS Rajamouli’s ambitious Mahesh Babu-led film has completed more than 90% of filming. Mahesh Babu has reportedly finished his major portions, with one crucial introduction sequence still pending. The film also features Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran and is scheduled for release on April 7, 2027.

Varanasi Shooting Update: SS Rajamouli Reportedly Crosses 90% Completion

SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi has reportedly entered the final stretch of its production, with more than 90% of the shoot now completed.

According to a September 9 report citing Telugu Chitraalu, the team has finished over 90% of the filming, while Mahesh Babu has already completed the major portions of his work. Only a crucial introduction episode involving the actor is reportedly left.

The update marks a significant production milestone for one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious upcoming projects. Rajamouli had earlier confirmed that the film’s major large-scale action sequences were completed, with the remaining work focused on smaller connecting scenes.

Mahesh Babu Wraps Major Portions As Rudhra

Mahesh Babu plays Rudhra, the central character in Varanasi. Current listings also identify Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha.

The latest production report claims that Mahesh has completed most of his filming and has only one major introduction episode remaining.

A separate September 9 report also states that the actor has begun dubbing, while editing, background-score work and VFX are progressing simultaneously. MM Keeravani has started work on the background score, according to the report.

This suggests that Varanasi is not simply approaching the end of principal photography. Several post-production departments are already moving forward while Rajamouli completes the remaining footage.

What Is Varanasi About?

Varanasi is being mounted as a large-scale action adventure combining science fiction, mythology, time travel and global locations.

The film’s released synopsis describes Rudhra as a rugged archaeologist and explorer recruited for a dangerous mission after a massive asteroid named Shambhavi threatens the holy city of Varanasi.

He is joined by Mandakini, a historian and skilled marksman, as the mission takes them through locations including Africa, Antarctica and Europe. They are pursued by Kumbha, portrayed by Prithviraj Sukumaran.

The story is therefore much larger than its title might initially suggest. Varanasi is one part of a narrative that reportedly moves across continents, eras and mythological dimensions.

Mahesh Babu’s Lord Rama Sequence: What Is Actually Confirmed?

One of the biggest questions surrounding Varanasi is Mahesh Babu’s reported appearance as Lord Rama.

This detail has been discussed extensively in recent reports, but there is an important distinction between what has been confirmed and what remains speculative.

Writer Vijayendra Prasad has confirmed that the film contains a roughly 30-minute sequence involving the battle between Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna. He described the sequence as one designed to leave audiences “spellbound.”

Rajamouli has also spoken about the film’s combination of Ramayana elements, Antarctica, natural disasters and fantasy. He has said that despite the enormous spectacle, the emotional core of Varanasi is a father-son relationship.

However, reports about the exact structure of Mahesh Babu’s Rama appearance and every detail of the sequence should still be treated as reported information until the makers reveal them officially.

Prithviraj Sukumaran Plays Kumbha

Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Kumbha, the principal antagonist who stands in Rudhra and Mandakini’s path.

The recently released synopsis describes Kumbha as a tech-genius villain pursuing the protagonists across their global mission.

Prithviraj has also spoken about working with Rajamouli, describing the director’s approach on set as collaborative. According to the actor, Rajamouli encourages performers to share their thoughts before scenes are filmed.

The casting creates an interesting contrast at the centre of the film: Mahesh Babu’s globe-trotting explorer facing Prithviraj’s technologically advanced antagonist against a backdrop that combines futuristic ideas with mythology.

Varanasi Is Already Moving Into Post-Production

The latest reports indicate that Varanasi is beginning to transition from principal photography into a more intensive post-production phase.

Editing and VFX work are reportedly underway, while background-score production has also begun. Mahesh Babu’s reported start to dubbing further indicates that portions of the film are already sufficiently locked for dialogue work.

This timeline is consistent with Rajamouli’s earlier production update. In June, the filmmaker said the major spectacle and action portions had been completed and that the team was concentrating on smaller interconnecting scenes, with filming expected to finish around September or early October.

The latest 90% completion report therefore represents a continuation of a production schedule Rajamouli had already publicly outlined.

Varanasi Release Date: April 7, 2027

Varanasi is scheduled to arrive in theatres on April 7, 2027.

The release date was officially announced by the makers in January, accompanied by new promotional material featuring Rajamouli and the principal cast.

With the shoot now reportedly more than 90% complete, the April 2027 date gives the team several months for the extensive editing, VFX, music, dubbing and international localization work expected from a production of this scale.

The film is also being positioned for a major global release. Reports have said the team plans to create versions in around 50 languages for release across approximately 120 countries, using human voice artists rather than AI-generated dubbing.

Why The 90% Milestone Matters

The latest Varanasi shooting update is significant because Rajamouli’s films are known for their unusually large production scales and lengthy schedules.

This time, the production appears to be moving according to the broad timeline the filmmaker outlined earlier in the year. The biggest action spectacles are already complete, Mahesh Babu has reportedly finished most of his work, and post-production departments have begun working alongside the final filming schedule.

For audiences, however, the biggest unanswered questions remain the film’s time-travel mechanics, the full nature of the Ramayana connection and how Mahesh’s Rudhra fits into the mythology.

Those answers are likely to become clearer as Rajamouli and the team begin their next phase of promotion.

Jay-Ho Spotlight

The latest Varanasi shooting update puts SS Rajamouli’s ambitious film firmly in its final production stretch, with more than 90% of filming reportedly completed and Mahesh Babu’s major portions largely wrapped.

The film’s scale remains its biggest talking point, combining Mahesh Babu’s Rudhra, Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ Mandakini and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Kumbha with time travel, global locations and a substantial Ramayana-inspired sequence.

With the remaining shoot expected to be completed around the September-October window and post-production already underway, Varanasi remains on course for its April 7, 2027 theatrical release.

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