Priyanka Chopra’s Indian cinema comeback comes with a twist: The ‘ultimatum’ she gave SS Rajamouli for Varanasi

After a five-year hiatus from Indian cinema, Priyanka Chopra is finally returning and she’s doing it in spectacular fashion. The global star has teamed up with SS Rajamouli for Varanasi, marking her first Indian film since 2019. But before signing on, PeeCee made sure her comeback had a personal touch- by laying down one unforgettable condition.

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A World “Unlike Anything” She’s Ever Done

In a conversation with Variety, Priyanka Chopra revealed just how transformative this project has been for her. She said, “This is unlike anything I’ve ever done. We travel from like Antarctica to … And just the worlds that he creates are so larger than life, and nobody has the vision that he does. So even I’m excited to see more."

The statement perfectly captures the scale Rajamouli is known for- vast landscapes, grand storytelling, and cinematic universes that stretch imagination beyond limits. For the Desi Girl, Varanasi is not just a film; it’s an experience unfolding across extraordinary terrains and emotional spectrums. 

The ‘Ultimatum’ That Sealed the Deal

While the film promises spectacle, PeeCee had one non-negotiable demand before stepping into Rajamouli’s universe.

Recalling the moment, she shared, “I was like, ‘Listen, I’m coming back to Indian movies. I have to do a dance song. Like you have to make me dance.’"

"I know I’m gonna be doing it, but we haven’t shot it yet. OK, that’s one of the last things, which I’m really looking forward to. But we already did do one where choreography was crazy. It’s so intricate," she added. 

For an actor whose Bollywood journey includes some of the most iconic dance numbers, the request feels both nostalgic and strategic. If Varanasi delivers a show-stopping track, it may well become one of the film’s defining moments.

Nick Jonas Calls It “Incredible”

The excitement isn’t limited to the Krrish actress alone. Her husband, singer Nick Jonas, has also been cheering her on. Appearing on the Zach Sang Show podcast, Nick said, "Priyanka has been shooting one movie for 14 months, on and off. It's a South Indian film with SS Rajamouli, who directed RRR, his last movie. This is his next big film; it's going to be incredible."

Fourteen months of intermittent shooting signals the scale and ambition of the project- hallmarks of a Rajamouli production.

Nick’s Love Letter to Hindi Music

During the same podcast, Nick couldn’t help but gush about Indian cinema’s musical legacy.

He said, "The melodies are just so incredible. They are on a scale that we are not as familiar with over here. The thing I love about Hindi music and music from Southeast Asia is that, a lot of the time, the music comes from a film and becomes famous."

He further added, "So often it's the actors who are lip-syncing to someone else's voice. But there are these music composers who specialise in making songs sound like big hits and fit cinematically. That's something very inspiring to me. There's so much great music in Indian cinema."

His admiration underscores how deeply music is woven into the storytelling fabric of Indian films- something Varanasi is almost certain to amplify.

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A Comeback Worth the Wait

With SS Rajamouli’s visionary scale, Priyanka Chopra’s global star power, and a promised dance spectacle in the pipeline, Varanasi is shaping up to be more than just a comeback- it’s poised to be an event.