'Varanasi' Story Leaked?: Is Mahesh Babu’s Epic is a Time-Travel Saga to Save the World?

The phenomenal success of S.S. Rajamouli's past epics (Baahubali, RRR) has made his next project, 'Varanasi', the most anticipated film in Indian cinema history. After months of intense speculation, the official title reveal confirmed that the film, starring Mahesh Babu (as Rudhra), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (as Mandakini), and Prithviraj Sukumaran (as the antagonist Kumbha), is indeed a massive adventure blending mythology with time and space-spanning concepts.

Set for a Summer 2027 release, the initial teaser and subsequent reports confirm that the film revolves around a high-stakes, time-travel adventure.

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The Cosmic Premise: Asteroid, Savior, and Timelines

The most recent and widely circulated plot synopsis—believed to be the official logline—suggests an apocalyptic scenario anchored in India's spiritual heart:

"When an asteroid hits the city of Varanasi in India, what are the events that it leads to? Is the world about to be doomed? Does it need a saviour who has to traverse across the continents and timelines to influence the most crucial moment in the history of Earth?"

This premise establishes that Mahesh Babu’s character, Rudhra, is the designated savior who must journey across vast distances—not just geographically (alluding to its original working title, GlobeTrotter), but temporally—to prevent an impending global catastrophe.

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Blending History, Mythology and Cosmic Sci-Fi

The key revelation that has fueled the time-travel theory is the visible mix of ancient mythology with modern-day, high-stakes action seen in the teaser:

Time Warp Visuals: The teaser reportedly features visuals hinting at timelines stretching from 512 CE Varanasi to 7200 BC, showcasing glimpses of ancient rituals, temples, and epic battles.

The Ramayana Connection: Director S.S. Rajamouli confirmed that a major sequence in the film draws inspiration from the Hindu epic The Ramayana. This has led to speculation that Mahesh Babu will also be seen in the awe-inspiring avatar of Lord Rama, suggesting his character, Rudhra, might be either an avatar, a reincarnated figure, or someone who travels back to the time of the epic war.

The Shiva Link: Mahesh Babu's first look was revealed as a fierce, trident-wielding warrior, riding a bull (Nandi), hinting at a strong connection to Lord Shiva—the presiding deity of the city of Varanasi.

With a reported budget that makes it one of the most expensive Indian films ever produced, Varanasi is positioning itself as a cosmic time-travel saga where an impending disaster is prevented by connecting crucial moments and figures across eras, ensuring the fate of the world hinges on the action taken in India's timeless city.

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