SSMB29: SS Rajamouli introduces Mahesh Babu as Varanasi's fierce Rudhra!

At the star-studded GlobeTrotter event in Hyderabad, SS Rajamouli lifted the veil on his next big canvas SSMB29 - officially titled Varanasi - and introduced Mahesh Babu’s character as Rudhra. The announcement came with a thunderous motion poster that instantly became the evening’s headline.

Related Story: SSMB29 is officially Varanasi! SS Rajamouli unveils Mahesh Babu's first fierce look, internet goes wild; watch

Fierce First Look That Everyone Had Been Waiting For

The first glimpse frames Mahesh as an elemental warrior: bare-backed, clutching a trishul, blood at the lip and hurtling forward astride a charging bull - an image that blends mythic iconography with raw, physical cinema. The bull-as-vahana visual and the trishul nod toward Shiva-associated symbolism, hinting at a character who is both devout and dangerous.

Sharing the first-look poster of Mahesh Babu on social media, Rajamouli wrote, "Mahesh Babu as RUDHRA in #VARANASI." (sic)

Mahesh Babu as RUDHRA in #VARANASI. pic.twitter.com/YMUjnnytWX

— rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) November 15, 2025

The Guntur Mirchi star shared the poster and penned, "Here’s the man you’ll meet in #Varanasi… RUDHRA…" (sic)

Here’s the man you’ll meet in #Varanasi…

RUDHRA… pic.twitter.com/SOAUsqQ5bv

— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) November 15, 2025

Since shared, the comments section is getting flooded with praises sparking a massive hysteria among fans.

Meanwhile, Varanasi's sinister antagonist Kumbha aka Prithviraj sharing the poster wrote, "Here you go… the worlds and times of #Varanasi @ssrajamouli Sir taking Indian cinema to the world once again! And the one and only @urstrulymahesh is RUDHRA" (sic)

TimeTrotter Tease - Genre-bending Stakes

Makers teased the tagline TimeTrotter, sparking speculation that Varanasi may fold time-travel into its epic scope - a tonal pivot that fits Rajamouli’s appetite for blending spectacle with high-concept hooks. Early reactions from fans and live updates amplified the theory across social platforms.

Hyderabad Hysteria and Hiccups

The Ramoji Film City gala drew massive cheers for Mahesh and co-star Priyanka Chopra, though organizers later apologised for technical glitches after parts of the glimpse leaked online - a modern launch-night wrinkle for a film of such scale.

Must Check: Varanasi's Mandakini aka Desi Girl Priyanka Chopra stuns at GlobeTrotter event, check pics

Rajamouli’s Varanasi promises mythology-tinged action and blockbuster ambition; with Rudhra at its center, expectations for a visceral, world-spanning spectacle are now sky-high.