The first glimpse of SS Rajamouli’s long-awaited global action epic finally arrived on Thursday, and it came with enough thunder to shake up every corner of Indian cinema. The highly anticipated project, previously known by the working title Globetrotter, has now been officially christened Varanasi. And if the title reveal was not enough, the motion poster featuring Mahesh Babu riding a charging bull has sent fans — and the entire social media ecosystem — into a frenzy.
The reveal, staged at a grand event attended by fans, media, and the film’s core team, showcased a version of Mahesh Babu that many are calling his most feral, most unrestrained, and most high-energy avatar yet. With flowing hair, earth-smeared skin and an intensity calibrated to near-mythic levels, the actor appears to be entering the most radical reinvention of his career.
Rajamouli unleashes a global-scale vision
Rajamouli, known for crafting monumental cinematic universes with Baahubali and RRR, hinted that Varanasi would push scale, mythology and physicality to a new frontier. During the event, he described the film as “a story rooted in India, but designed for the world”.
Industry watchers were quick to note that the bull-riding moment is not a mere standalone still. It signals a narrative steeped in primal energy — one that merges folklore, action, and an emotional arc that bridges continents. The director, who has consistently redefined Indian action cinema, appears ready to take Mahesh Babu on a transformative physical journey and the audience on a larger-than-life spectacle.
Mahesh Babu enters an unprecedented transformation phase
Fans have been buzzing for months about Mahesh Babu’s extreme physical transformation — from visible muscle bulk to an entirely altered screen presence. But the motion poster has now given the world a concrete look at the reinvention.
Netizens were unanimous: this is not the polished, suited superstar they know. This is a raw, untamed force of nature. Several fan pages on X (formerly Twitter) described the look as “aura level 1000+”, a phrase that now dominates trend charts.
Film analysts believe that Varanasi marks a defining shift in the star’s trajectory, akin to the career pivots seen with actors like Ram Charan post-RRR and Prabhas after Baahubali. The aggressive physicality, rugged aesthetic and mythic tone indicate that Mahesh Babu may be stepping into a pan-global, action-hero mould.
Why Varanasi is already being celebrated as a cultural moment
While most title reveals garner buzz, Varanasi seems to be creating something larger — a cultural moment driven by fan culture, cinematic expectations, and meme aesthetics converging.
Memes calling Mahesh Babu the “Hindu Kratos”, “South Indian Tarzan”, and “New-age warrior monk” have exploded across timelines. The bull-riding stance, in particular, has triggered countless edits, fan art, and slow-motion recuts set to dramatic background scores.
Film exhibitors are also watching closely. With Rajamouli at the helm, Varanasi is expected to command massive international distribution, possibly surpassing the footprint of RRR.
Industry expectations rise as filming continues
Though the makers have guarded major plot details, insiders expect the film to span multiple geographies, including Varanasi, Europe and Southeast Asia. The production is reportedly one of the costliest Indian films in recent years, with a budget speculated to touch ₹800 crore — though the team has not confirmed official figures.
Trade experts predict that Varanasi could emerge as a defining Indian action franchise if it lives up to the creative ambition hinted in the motion poster.
Conclusion
With its fiery bull-charge visual, global-scale ambition, and a Mahesh Babu transformation unlike anything audiences have seen before, Varanasi has already begun shaping the cinematic conversations of 2025. Rajamouli’s signature storytelling, combined with the star’s explosive new persona, suggests that the film is positioned not merely as an entertainer — but as a cultural and box-office event in the making.