SS Rajamouli OPENS UP about being an atheist at Varanasi teaser launch, says…

SS Rajamouli unveiled the Varanasi teaser with stars Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra, stunning fans with both the visuals and his candid admission of being an atheist. The globe-spanning teaser and star-studded event have set the stage for one of Indian cinema’s biggest upcoming films.

Popular filmmaker SS Rajamouli finally revealed the teaser and title of his highly awaited film Varanasi (SSMB29/Globetrotter), starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in key roles but it was his unexpected confession that surprised everyone. Speaking at the Globetrotter event in Hyderabad, the Baahubali and RRR director openly shared that he is an atheist, despite creating films deeply rooted in mythology and spirituality. His honesty won over the audience instantly.

The hype around Varanasi skyrocketed when Rajamouli showcased the teaser at Ramoji Film City. Nearly 50,000 fans gathered outside, though only those with special passport-style passes could enter turning the passes into instant collectibles.

The teaser promises a massive, globe-spanning narrative. It travels from Antarctica to Africa, jumps back to 72,000 BCE for a striking glimpse of Hanuman, and finally lands at Varanasi’s iconic Manikarnika Ghat. Mahesh Babu’s grand entry as Rudra riding a white bull and wielding a trishul instantly grabbed attention.

Positioned as one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious global ventures, Varanasi features an international cast led by Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Rajamouli, along with the lead stars and Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani, attended the event. Shruti Haasan lit up the stage with a powerful live performance of one of the Telugu tracks.

For fans worldwide who couldn’t be there, the event was live-streamed on Jio Hotstar and Variety’s YouTube channel, giving global audiences their first taste of Rajamouli’s next big cinematic universe.