Global star Priyanka Chopra Jonas wished her Varanasi co-star Mahesh Babu on his birthday with a behind-the-scenes picture from the film’s shoot, offering fans a glimpse of their much-awaited collaboration.
Priyanka shared the photograph on social media on Sunday. In the image, she is seen sitting beside Mahesh Babu, with the picture apparently taken during the film’s Africa schedule.
“Happy Birthday Bob. Here’s to going on the ultimate adventure with #Varanasi! @urstrulyMahesh,” Priyanka wrote in her birthday message.
The birthday celebrations were also marked by the makers of Varanasi, who unveiled Mahesh Babu’s first look as Rudhra. In one of the released images, the actor is seen seated on a bamboo raft, while another shows him standing amid a vast wilderness and looking across the surrounding landscape.
The makers described the character as having multiple shades, captioning the first-look post: “Fierce isn’t his only shade… RUDHRA in #Varanasi.”
Director SS Rajamouli also shared his thoughts on Rudhra and Mahesh Babu’s portrayal of the character.
“Rudhra was born to fulfil a purpose much larger than himself. He carries a destiny he did not ask for. He is witty, he is vulnerable, and he is fierce. That is what Mahesh brought to him. Anyone can play fierce. Very few can play fierce and fragile in the same breath,” Rajamouli said in his note.
He revealed that the images were shot during the film’s Africa schedule and recalled filming around Mount Kilimanjaro and the Maasai Mara. Rajamouli said the landscapes were so striking that at times he felt even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame could not fully capture what was before the camera.