Desi Girl turns 45: Rajamouli Unveils Priyanka Chopra’s Mandakini Look, Raises Buzz Around ‘Varanasi’

SS Rajamouli celebrated Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ birthday by unveiling two new stills from Varanasi, offering the first look at her character Mandakini in the much-awaited epic.

Post Published By: Sreeja Chowdhury

Updated : 18 July 2026, 4:41 PM IST

S.S. Rajamouli and Priyanka Chopra Jonas’

Mumbai: Filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli marked Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ birthday by unveiling two new character stills from his upcoming epic film Varanasi. The images offer fans a first glimpse of Chopra Jonas as Mandakini, one of the film’s central characters.

Grace when she smiles.
Fire when she doesn’t.

Mandakini… @PriyankaChopra in #Varanasi pic.twitter.com/4lYerYbm4Q

— rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) July 18, 2026

Varanasi is an ambitious global adventure that spans thousands of years and stretches across multiple continents, with scenes set in locations including Antarctica, Africa and the holy city of Varanasi. The film stars Mahesh Babu in dual roles as Rudhra and Lord Rama, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha.

Also Read: Desi Girl Turns 45: 10 Times Priyanka Chopra Made India Proud on Global Stage

Rajamouli Praises Priyanka’s Performance

Speaking about casting Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Rajamouli said the role demanded an actor capable of balancing strength with emotional depth. He noted that her ability to portray both toughness and vulnerability made her the ideal choice for Mandakini and expressed satisfaction with her performance.

Major Return to Indian Cinema

The film marks Priyanka Chopra Jonas’ return to Indian cinema after several successful international projects, including Citadel and The Matrix Resurrections. She has previously described Varanasi as a landmark project in her career, saying returning to Indian films with Rajamouli’s vision made the decision an easy one.

Also Read: Priyanka Chopra’s Golden Temple Visit: From Prayers to Seva, Fans Call Her ‘True Indian’

The actor has also praised the filmmaker, comparing his storytelling ambition to some of the biggest names in global cinema.

Rajamouli’s Next Big Project

Varanasi is Rajamouli’s first directorial venture since the global success of RRR, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with Naatu Naatu. Oscar-winning composer M.M. Keeravani has reunited with the filmmaker to compose the soundtrack for the upcoming film.

While the makers are yet to announce the release date, the newly released stills have heightened anticipation among fans eager to see the epic on the big screen.

Global Recognition for Rajamouli

Rajamouli’s growing international reputation has also added to the anticipation surrounding Varanasi. Hollywood filmmaker James Cameron had earlier praised Rajamouli’s storytelling and filmmaking after watching RRR, further highlighting the Indian director’s rising stature on the global stage. While Cameron has not publicly reviewed Varanasi, his appreciation of Rajamouli’s work has strengthened expectations from the upcoming epic.