SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film, now officially titled Varanasi, made a major splash at a grand launch event in Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad. Thousands of fans were present, and many more watched online to catch the big reveal.
The first visual from the film is striking: Mahesh Babu, covered in blood, holding a trishul (trident) and riding a bull. Behind him, ancient temple silhouettes hint at a mythological or spiritual backdrop. This powerful image immediately got people talking.
What We Know About Varanasi & Its Theme
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The film was earlier referred to as SSMB29 or GlobeTrotter, but now the confirmed title is Varanasi.
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There’s a strong hint of time travel or time-shifting in the film. The glimpse ended with “#TimeTrotter,” which fans interpreted as a clue to the movie’s storyline.
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The cast is big: apart from Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran are also on board.
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Reports suggest the story is a “globe-trotting action adventure” inspired by grand, adventurous novels.
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Shooting has already taken place in places like Kenya, Odisha, and Hyderabad.
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The production is very large-scale: sources say Rajamouli’s team is obsessively crafting even the smallest details to make the world feel real.
Why This First Glimpse Matters
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Epic Visuals: Seeing Mahesh Babu wield a trident while riding a bull instantly gives a mythic, larger-than-life feel.
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Mystery: The “Time Trotter” tag has opened up wild fan theories. Will this be a story about past, present, and future colliding?
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Rajamouli Scale: Given Rajamouli’s past (“RRR”, Baahubali), fans are expecting something grand — and this reveal seems to deliver on that promise.
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Global Appeal: With exotic locations and a big cast, Varanasi is being positioned not just as a regional film but a global spectacle.
What Fans Are Saying
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Some fans interpret the bull and trident imagery as symbolic: the trident relates to Lord Shiva, and the bull (possibly Nandi) connects to Hindu mythology. (The Indian Express)
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Others are excited about the time-travel angle, speculating that the film may jump between different eras.
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At the event, the use of “passports” instead of regular passes added to the “globe trotter” feel, reinforcing that this is not just a local story.
Final Thoughts
This first look of Varanasi is definitely a powerful teaser. It doesn’t reveal much of the plot — but it’s clearly designed to build excitement and speculation. With Rajamouli at the helm and Mahesh Babu in a role that seems both mythological and adventurous, many are expecting a cinematic experience that blends action, spirituality, and possibly time-travel.
If the rest of the movie lives up to this glimpse, Varanasi could become one of the most talked-about films in Tollywood — or even globally.