SS Rajamouli's next movie titled 'Varanasi', to release in January 2027
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Hyderabad (PTI): Filmmaker S S Rajamouli on Saturday unveiled the title of his next mega project "Varanasi" at a grand fan event held at Ramoji Film City here in the presence of its stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The movie marks the acclaimed director's first collaboration with Telugu superstar Babu. Priyanka also returns to Indian cinema after 2021's "The Sky Is Pink".
Babu said it was a dream project and the whole country will be proud of the movie where he plays the protagonist Rudra.
Sukumaran, who plays the antagonist Kumbha in the movie, said it was the most emotionally and physically demanding role of his career. The actor said he was stunned by Rajamouli's narration.
"The scale, the vision, the ambition, everything was India's greatest contemporary mainstream filmmaker pushing his own limits into never-before territory. But what truly took my breath away was the audacity of the imagination," Sukumaran said.
The much-anticipated movie will make its debut in theatres worldwide in January 2027 coinciding with the festival of Sankranti.
Billed as “India’s biggest-ever reveal”, the event, titled "Globe Trotter" drew a crowd of around 50,000 fans, who witnessed a specially designed live spectacle culminating in the title reveal.
A teaser for "Varanasi" was planned to be showcased on a massive 130 ft x 100 ft screen, but a technical glitch initially prevented the screening. After a brief delay, the clip was finally unveiled to the audience.
The event also unveiled the first-look posters of Prithviraj Sukumaran as the fierce antagonist Kumbha and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in the gun toting avatar as Mandakini.
Described as a “once-in-a-generation spectacle”, the event marked one of the largest live fan gatherings for a film announcement in the country.
"Varanasi" will feature music by MM Keeravani, who won an Oscar for Rajamouli's previous film "RRR".
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KCOCA invoked in Udupi kidnap case; 7 arrested, hunt on for 2 key accused
Udupi: Police have invoked the Karnataka Control of Organised Crimes Act (KCOCA) in last year’s abduction case under Kota police limits and arrested seven accused. A search is underway to trace two key accused who are still absconding.
The arrested have been identified as Deviprasad Shetty (33) of Katipalla, Surathkal; Sudeep (22); Mithun Kaikamba (20); Sreesha Anand Shetty (35) of Krishnapura; Sujith (27) of Anjaru village, Hiriyadka; Suhas (31) of Padukudru, Kemmannu; and Manoj V. Kotyan (34) of Hoode, Kemmannu.
The main accused, Manoj Kodikere (42) of Jokatte, Mangaluru, and Chetan Kulal (38) of Padur Rottigudi in Bantwal taluk, are absconding, police said.
According to the complaint, Tejas, son of Mohan Das Shetty from Siddapur village, was abducted on November 19, 2025, around noon near Coastal Paradise Hotel in Sasthan. When Mohan Das Shetty reached the spot, he found his son’s car abandoned. During enquiries, Tejas contacted him through a WhatsApp audio call and informed that he had been kidnapped by a group of two to three persons acting on the instructions of Manoj Kodikere.
Soon after, an unidentified person called and demanded Rs 50 lakh for Tejas’s release, threatening to kill him if the money was not paid. In a subsequent call, the demand was raised to Rs 3 crore, with a similar threat.
Based on the complaint, a case was registered at Kota police station. During investigation, police found that the accused had acted in an organised manner, following which KCOCA provisions were invoked. Kundapur DySP H.D. Kulkarni led the investigation, arrested the accused and produced them before a court, which remanded them to judicial custody.
Superintendent of Police Hariram Shankar has announced a cash reward of Rs 50,000 for information leading to the arrest of the absconding accused Manoj Kodikere and Chetan Kulal.
Police said Manoj Kodikere has 18 cases registered in Mangaluru city and two in Udupi district, while Chetan Kulal has 11 cases in Mangaluru city and two in Udupi district.
Those with information about the accused can contact Kundapur DySP H.D. Kulkarni at 9480805422. Police have assured that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
