New Delhi: Priyanka Chopra received a special birthday surprise from filmmaker SS Rajamouli on Saturday as he unveiled her first look from his upcoming action drama Varanasi. Sharing two striking stills of the actor as Mandakini, Rajamouli described her character with a simple yet powerful line: “Grace when she smiles. Fire when she doesn’t.”
The newly released images present Priyanka Chopra in contrasting shades of her character. One captures a calm and graceful expression, while the other showcases a fierce, determined side, hinting at the complexity of Mandakini in the much-awaited film.
“Grace when she smiles. Fire when she doesn’t,” Rajamouli wrote while sharing the posters on Instagram.
According to reports, Mandakini is portrayed as “a fierce, globetrotting character who is strong, vulnerable and unforgettable in equal measure.”
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A post shared by SS Rajamouli (@ssrajamouli)
Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role as Rudhra. Reports also suggest that the actor will appear in a dual role, including a rumoured 20-minute sequence as Lord Rama depicting the battle from the Ramayana.
Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the primary antagonist, Kumbha, who is described as “dangerously unlimited in his mentality.” Priyanka’s Mandakini finds herself at the centre of the story as the narrative unfolds between the two central characters.
Penned by Vijayendra Prasad, Varanasi is described as a time-travel adventure that blends Indian mythology, history and science fiction.
The film also marks Rajamouli’s first collaboration with both Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Production began in April 2025, with filming taking place across locations including Kenya and the Borra Caves in Andhra Pradesh.
Earlier this year, the makers launched the film’s global promotional campaign with a panel at CCXP in Mexico, where previously unseen footage from Varanasi was showcased.
The film is also significant as it marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema after 2019’s The Sky Is Pink, in which she starred alongside Farhan Akhtar.
Varanasi is scheduled to release in theatres in April 2027.
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