Hyderabad: SS Karthikeya, son of ace filmmaker SS Rajamouli, celebrated his birthday on Saturday, and heartwarming wishes poured in from across the film fraternity. While Mahesh Babu sent an early morning greeting on social media, the most cheerful tribute came from Priyanka Chopra, who shared a lively video of herself dancing with Karthikeya, along with a candid picture from the sets of their upcoming film Varanasi.

The series of posts offered a glimpse into their warm friendship and the collaborative spirit on the sets of Rajamouli’s next mega project, one of the most anticipated Indian films currently in production.

Priyanka Chopra posts dance video for Karthikeya

Priyanka Chopra took to Instagram to post a joyful video of her dancing with Karthikeya to A.R. Rahman’s iconic Urvashi Urvashi. In the clip, the two are seen dancing by a poolside, laughing and matching steps with ease. Their camaraderie, Priyanka’s infectious grin, and Karthikeya’s shy but enthusiastic moves made the video an instant hit among fans.

“Take it easy my friend! To the man who silently holds up the fort. Happy birthday @ssk1122. So happy to be dancing through this movie with you,” Priyanka wrote, adding a heartfelt note that highlighted Karthikeya’s behind-the-scenes contributions to Varanasi.

She also shared a second image — a candid moment from the film’s set — where both of them are seen laughing together. “To always laughing through it all. Happy birthday @sskarthikeya,” she wrote.

Mahesh Babu calls Karthikeya the ‘silent man behind everything’

Earlier in the day, Mahesh Babu, who plays the lead in Varanasi, shared a warm birthday post featuring a picture of himself with Karthikeya. “The silent man behind everything we build… Happy Birthday Karth. Always amazed to see you hold the toughest pieces together with ease. Wishing you a great year. Onwards and upwards @ssk1122,” he wrote.

Fans praised Mahesh Babu for acknowledging the work Karthikeya puts in behind the camera, especially given the scale of Rajamouli’s ongoing project.

About Varanasi: Rajamouli’s next epic

SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi — starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran — was officially unveiled at the grand GlobeTrotter event in Hyderabad on 15 November. The title reveal was accompanied by a teaser showcasing Mahesh Babu’s intense first look as Rudhra.

The teaser showed the actor bloodied, gripping a trishul and riding a bull, signalling a mythic, larger-than-life avatar. Priyanka Chopra stars as Mandakini, while Prithviraj takes on the role of Kumbha. The thematic hints in the teaser, including hashtags #GlobeTrotter and #TimeTrotter, suggest a massive time-travel storyline — a new direction for Rajamouli, who is known for pushing the limits of cinematic world-building.

Music composer MM Keeravani, speaking at IFFI in Goa, confirmed that the soundtrack will feature six songs and promised “grandeur”, though he refrained from giving further details.

The film is set for a 2027 theatrical release, making it one of the most awaited long-term projects in Indian cinema.

Karthikeya’s role and industry reactions

Karthikeya, who has been involved closely in the production of Rajamouli’s films for years, is co-producing Varanasi. Known for his organisational skills and technical knowledge, he has earned admiration across the Telugu film industry as a reliable creative force behind Rajamouli’s ambitious filmmaking ecosystem.

Following Priyanka’s and Mahesh Babu’s posts, several fans and industry members shared their own birthday wishes on social media, with many praising his maturity and dedication.

A birthday filled with joy, dance and appreciation

From fun dance reels to heartfelt messages, Karthikeya’s birthday turned into a celebration of his contributions to one of India’s biggest upcoming films. The behind-the-scenes moments shared by Priyanka Chopra also offered fans a glimpse into the team’s bonding, building more anticipation for Varanasi.

As Rajamouli’s vision continues to expand with a story spanning time, myth and adventure, the affection shown towards Karthikeya underscores the collaborative effort powering the film’s massive scale.