On the occasion of Priyanka Chopra's birthday, the makers of SS Rajamouli's highly anticipated film Varanasi unveiled the actor's first look from the epic adventure, introducing her as Mandakini.
The first official images, shared by Rajamouli, feature the 44-year-old actor in a striking all-black outfit with wild curls and a sheer ensemble, hinting at a visually grand sequence from the film. According to the makers, Mandakini is a "fierce, globetrotting character who is strong, vulnerable and unforgettable in equal measure."
The newly released look has also fuelled speculation that it may be from the much-discussed dance sequence Priyanka Chopra had previously mentioned. The actor had revealed that she requested Rajamouli to include a dance number and later filmed a large-scale, high-energy sequence alongside co-star Mahesh Babu.
Rajamouli's son, SS Kartikeyan, also extended birthday wishes to Chopra on X, writing, "Wishing our absolute powerhouse of talent a very fiery and joyful birthday!! @PriyankaChopra someone who oozes brilliance so effortlessly, who constantly pushes beyond every boundary and always finds herself a step above the rest. There's truly no one like you. Wishing you the entire world PC."
Varanasi marks Priyanka Chopra's first Indian theatrical release since The Sky Is Pink (2019). The film stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role of Rudhra, who is also rumoured to portray Lord Rama in a pivotal 20-minute sequence depicting the Ramayana battle.
Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha, a character described by the makers as having a "dangerously unlimited" mindset. Mandakini's story is expected to unfold between these two central characters as the narrative progresses.
Earlier, during an appearance on the Hey Jonas podcast, hosted by husband Nick Jonas along with Kevin and Joe Jonas, Priyanka spoke about the project.
"I have been working on it for about 14 months now. But SS Rajamouli is known to take that kind of time to make movies. He called me for this movie, and it's this epic adventure around the world and in time. It has taken a minute, but I'm so excited about it. I do many amazing slow-motion jumps in it, and that's all I can say about it," she said.
Written by Vijayendra Prasad and directed by SS Rajamouli, Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film blends Indian mythology and folklore with science-fiction elements, including time travel, while centring on a globe-spanning adventure. Rajamouli has also revealed that the story features an emotional father-son relationship at its core.
Varanasi is currently slated for a theatrical release in April 2027.
