A major plot leak has surfaced for S.S. Rajamouli’s highly anticipated film Varanasi, revealing a far more complex and darker storyline than previously imagined — complete with a secret mastermind pulling the strings.
The film, which stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role, was initially teased in late 2025 as a grand time-travel action spectacle. However, a newly leaked synopsis, reportedly linked to the visual effects studio Cinesite, suggests a deeper, more layered narrative involving mythology, destiny, and betrayal.
The leaked synopsis reads:
“A Shiva devotee embarks on a perilous quest across time to uncover a lost cosmic artifact of immense power… the very force that set him on this path is a calculating mastermind with a vision of absolute global domination. Forever. Unveiled.”
According to reports, Mahesh Babu’s character, Rudhra, may not be a straightforward hero. He is believed to have been sent on this mission by Kumbha, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran — a figure who could ultimately emerge as the film’s hidden villain.
Adding to the intrigue, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who plays Mandakini in the film, recently described the unique nature of the time-travel element:
“It’s not like you’re sitting in a machine… it’s not Back to the Future. But we do go from 7,200 BCE to 2027… So it is a time-travel movie.”
The story reportedly spans centuries, seamlessly blending ancient myth with the future. There are also strong indications that Mahesh Babu will portray Lord Rama in at least one sequence, directly tying the film to the Ramayana epic.
Rajamouli has previously confirmed that Varanasi draws heavy inspiration from Indian epics and features a massive sequence that connects multiple pivotal moments from the Ramayana.
The pan-Indian film is currently under production and is scheduled for a grand theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
