Mahesh Babu thanks supporters; calls Varanasi project close to his heart
Varanasi — Telugu star Mahesh Babu used his birthday message on social media to thank fans, colleagues and the media for wishes and to describe his upcoming film titled VARANASI as "very close to my heart," according to a report by bollywoodhungama.com published on Sunday. The message comes as the project — directed by S S Rajamouli — continues to draw national and international attention.
- Mahesh Babu expressed gratitude to fans, friends, colleagues and the media.
- The actor said he was "overwhelmed" and promised to keep working hard for his audience.
- The film marks Mahesh Babu's first collaboration with director S S Rajamouli and features Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who will be making her Telugu debut with the project.
In the Instagram note cited by the report, the actor wrote that words could not fully express his feelings and added: "A big thank you to all my well-wishers, friends, colleagues and media for your beautiful wishes and blessings." He also addressed his fans directly, saying their support has been "my constant love, strength and emotion." He concluded his message by pledging to continue working hard and by urging followers to join him on the journey of the film.
"#VARANASI is very close to my heart and I truly believe it's going to be something special. I can't wait for you all to experience it. Let's make this journey together."
The birthday communication was accompanied by further material from the film team: bollywoodhungama reported that the production released a special set of images as a tribute and that co-star Priyanka Chopra Jonas shared an unseen photograph with Mahesh Babu on her Instagram Stories, wishing him and referring to him by the nickname "Bob."
What is known about the film so far
Reports confirm a few key points about the project while many production details remain undisclosed. Points drawn from recent reporting include:
| Item | Reported details |
|---|---|
| Director | S S Rajamouli |
| Lead cast | Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas (Telugu debut) |
| Film title | VARANASI |
Separately, Gulf News reported on Sunday that Rajamouli posted two stills from the film's Africa schedule — images said to have been shot around Mount Kilimanjaro and in the Maasai Mara — and described moments on location where the landscape felt larger than the IMAX frame. That report noted Rajamouli's comment was about the scale of the landscape rather than a formal confirmation about camera formats used.
Local resonance and expectations
For residents of Varanasi, the film's title and the lead actor's declaration that the project is "very close" to him is likely to heighten curiosity about how the city — one of India's oldest and culturally significant urban centres — will be represented on screen. The film's connection to the city's name has already become a talking point in national entertainment coverage, even as principal photography has included sequences shot abroad, as reported by Gulf News.
Public details remain limited: neither the makers nor the distributors have disclosed a release date, a full cast list beyond the lead names, or the extent to which the film's narrative engages with the city itself. Until the production issues further statements, local audiences will be watching for official announcements from the filmmakers and promotional material that clarifies the film's relationship to Varanasi the city.
The combination of a high-profile director, a major Telugu star and an internationally known co-star has already put the project into national conversation. For citizens of Varanasi, the question is whether the film will depict the city by name merely as a title or whether it will delve into local settings, people and culture — details that only official promotional releases can authoritatively confirm.
