Varanasi – Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Mahesh Babu extended birthday wishes to actor Prithviraj Sukumaran on Friday, celebrating the actor who plays the antagonist Kumbha in their upcoming film, Varanasi. The birthday messages also received attention from director SS Rajamouli and the film’s official social media accounts, which highlighted Prithviraj’s role in the highly anticipated project. Priyanka shared a birthday greeting through her Instagram Stories, referring to the actor by his character’s name, while Mahesh Babu posted a warm message on his official social media handle.
Priyanka Chopra Shares a Birthday Message for Kumbha
Priyanka Chopra Jonas reshared the birthday greeting posted by the makers of Varanasi on her Instagram Stories. Addressing Prithviraj through his on-screen identity, she wrote, “Happy Birthday Kumbha,” accompanying the message with a heart-hand gesture emoji.
The post reflected the growing attention around the film’s principal cast, which includes Priyanka, Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj. By using the character’s name rather than simply addressing the actor, her greeting also highlighted the role Prithviraj is set to portray in the upcoming production.
The film has generated interest because of its scale, its director’s previous successes and the combination of actors from different parts of the Indian film industry. Prithviraj’s portrayal of Kumbha has been one of the aspects highlighted by the team as the project moves towards its planned release.
Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli Join the Birthday Wishes
Mahesh Babu, who plays the lead character Rudhra in Varanasi, also wished his co-star on social media. His message read, “Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Kumbha …. have a wonderful one… lots of love n happiness always… !!!”
The film’s official team also marked the occasion with a post celebrating Kumbha. The makers described the character as having “the most complex mind” in Varanasi, offering another glimpse into how the antagonist is being presented ahead of the film’s release.
Director SS Rajamouli shared his own birthday message on X, formerly known as Twitter. He wrote, “Happy birthday Prithvi. Didn’t want to awaken the Kumbha within you today. The Kumbha who is destined to make his mark on the world.”
Rajamouli’s message referred to the character’s significance in the story and added to the birthday greetings shared by the film’s leading actors. The posts have brought fresh attention to Prithviraj’s role as the project continues to build anticipation.
Rajamouli Previously Praised Prithviraj’s Transformation
In November, Rajamouli unveiled the first look of Prithviraj as Kumbha. The reveal offered audiences an initial glimpse of the character and established the darker tone associated with the antagonist.
At the time, the director praised Prithviraj’s performance and described bringing Kumbha to life as a creatively satisfying experience. Rajamouli called the character “sinister, ruthless, powerful” and expressed appreciation for the actor’s ability to step into the role.
The remarks suggested that Kumbha would be an important presence in the film’s narrative. Although the complete details of the character’s storyline have not been revealed in the information shared so far, the director’s comments have helped establish expectations around Prithviraj’s performance.
What to Know About the Story and Release Date
Produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business, Varanasi follows Rudhra, played by Mahesh Babu, on a high-stakes journey to protect the city of Varanasi as the threat of an approaching asteroid looms. The film combines an action-driven premise with a large-scale cinematic presentation under Rajamouli’s direction.
The project’s music is composed by M. M. Keeravani, who has previously collaborated with Rajamouli on several films, including the internationally recognised RRR.
Varanasi is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on April 7, 2027. With Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran among its leading cast members, the film remains one of the upcoming productions attracting attention from audiences across the Indian film industry.