'Varanasi' set pics unveiled; SS Rajamouli recreates city for Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli's next big venture, 'Varanasi' hit the top trends on social media once again, this time, after photos from the film's elaborate film sets were posted online. Ahead of the film’s teaser launch, several international media outlets were reportedly invited to India for a grand unveiling event attended by the film's lead stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. As part of the visit, foreign media outlets were given access to the film’s sprawling sets, where the iconic ghats, temples and life-sized rustic city streets of Varanasi were recreated at the studios. Images and videos shared on social media by the various media outlets showcase intricate riverside temple structures, alleyways and detailed miniatures of the ancient city. The photos and impressively detailed sets have left many fans surprised, with some even struggling to distinguish between real footage of Varanasi and scenes filmed on the miniature sets.The film, that is said to be one of the most ambitious and expensive projects in Indian cinema, will feature Mahesh Babu in a dual role as Rudhra and Lord Ram, while Priyanka is set to play the role of Mandakini. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, on the other hand, will portray the character of Kumbha.Rajamouli’s latest venture is already generating significant buzz in India and around the world. The film that is currently in production will head next to Antarctica to film the next leg of the shoot. With this, the film's crew will now be among the handful to be granted permission to shoot on the Ross Ice Shelf. This comes after the team shot extensively in the African grasslands and also filmed elaborate scenes on the Hyderabad sets. As per reports, the team still has months of shooting to complete before the film releases in cinemas in 2027.