SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi unveils synopsis; Mahesh Babu-Priyanka Chopra starrer to be a time-travel saga

Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra star in Varanasi

SS Rajamouli is preparing to launch perhaps his most ambitious film yet, Varanasi. After months of speculation, anticipation, and secrecy, the film’s official title and teaser were finally unveiled at a grand event in Hyderabad. Starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, the film promises a sweeping mix of mythology, action, fantasy, and world-building on an unprecedented scale.

Alongside the teaser launch, a post circulating across social media has revealed the film’s synopsis. If accurate, it positions Varanasi as a monumental time-travel saga.

According to the viral post, the film's premise reads, “When an asteroid hits the city of Varanasi in India, what are the events that it leads to? Is the world about to be doomed? Does it need a saviour who has to traverse across the continents and timelines to influence the most crucial moment in the history of Earth?”

This logline suggests a massive narrative arc that spans continents, eras, and possibly mythological epochs. It hints that Rajamouli may be expanding his canvas into deep-rooted civilisational timelines and ancient cosmic events. The asteroid strike sets the stage for a globe-spanning adventure where a mysterious saviour attempts to prevent a catastrophic fate.

The synopsis also confirms that Varanasi is set to explore full-fledged time travel, diverging from the current wave of multiverse-driven storytelling popularised by global superhero franchises. Instead, Rajamouli’s vision appears to rewind the clock to eras long before recorded history, potentially involving kings, gods, and pivotal mythological moments that shaped the world.

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Though the team remains tight-lipped about character details, industry insiders strongly believe that Mahesh Babu may be taking on a powerful, dual-layered role at the centre of this cosmic narrative. Speculation is rife that he plays not only the time-travelling “saviour” but may also portray Lord Ram in a parallel timeline.

Priyanka Chopra’s casting marks her return to Indian cinema after years, while Prithviraj is rumoured to be playing a key antagonist with mythological undertones.