Prithviraj Sukumaran’s first look as Kumbha from SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu’s ambitious film Varanasi was unveiled ahead of the grand #GlobeTrotter event. The striking first-look poster introduced Prithviraj in a completely different avatar, adding further excitement around the massive project starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra.
The reveal came just days before the much-awaited #GlobeTrotter event, scheduled for November 15 at Ramoji Film City, Hyderabad, marking the beginning of the film’s major promotional campaign.
Now officially titled Varanasi, the SS Rajamouli directorial is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 7 April 2027.
| Varanasi Movie | Details |
|---|---|
| Movie | Varanasi |
| Director | SS Rajamouli |
| Release Date | 7 April 2027 |
| Mahesh Babu | Lead Role |
| Priyanka Chopra | Lead Role |
| Prithviraj Sukumaran | Kumbha |
| Producers | K.L. Narayana, S.S. Karthikeya |
| Production Banners | Sri Durga Arts, Showbiz |
| Music | M.M. Keeravani |
| First Major Reveal | Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha |
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s First Look as Kumbha in SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu Movie
The wait finally ended when visionary filmmaker SS Rajamouli unveiled the first-look poster of Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha from his mega project with Mahesh Babu.
The first major character asset from the highly anticipated film presented the Malayalam superstar in an intense and commanding transformation.
In the film, Prithviraj transforms into Kumbha, a sinister, ruthless and commanding antagonist. The poster shows the character in a high-tech wheelchair, introducing a distinctive new-age villain to Rajamouli’s cinematic world.
The reveal immediately became one of the major talking points surrounding the project.
Varanasi Brings Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Together
Varanasi is one of the biggest upcoming Indian film projects, bringing together Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran under the direction of SS Rajamouli.
The movie follows Rajamouli’s phenomenal international success with the Baahubali films and RRR. His first collaboration with Mahesh Babu has consequently generated enormous expectations.
The first look of Prithviraj as Kumbha marked the beginning of the promotional journey and provided audiences with an early glimpse into the characters inhabiting Rajamouli’s new world.
Prithviraj as a Powerful Antagonist
Prithviraj’s transformation into Kumbha was designed to immediately establish the character’s intimidating presence.
The high-tech wheelchair seen in the poster became one of its most distinctive visual elements, while the actor’s presentation suggested a character driven as much by intellect and authority as physical power.
For Prithviraj, Varanasi also provides a major role alongside Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in one of SS Rajamouli’s most ambitious projects.
Prithviraj’s Khalifa Arrives Before Varanasi
Before audiences see Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha in Varanasi, the Malayalam star will be seen in Khalifa, his new big-scale Malayalam movie directed by Vysakh and written by Jinu Abraham.
Khalifa is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 20 August 2026, with Prithviraj playing Mambarakkal Aamir Ali.
The film also features Mohanlal as Mambarakkal Ahmed Ali in a special appearance, alongside Malvika Sharma, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Indrans, Renji Panicker, Mohini, Shivajith and Shammi Thilakan, among others.
The two projects present Prithviraj in markedly different spaces — leading the Malayalam action entertainer Khalifa before appearing as Kumbha alongside Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in Varanasi.
GlobeTrotter Event at Ramoji Film City
At the time of Kumbha’s first-look reveal, anticipation was building around the GlobeTrotter event scheduled for November 15 at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad.
The promotional event was positioned as an ambitious showcase for Rajamouli’s new cinematic world.
The Kumbha poster carried the filmmaker’s signature large-scale presentation and pushed expectations even higher following the international recognition achieved by RRR.
Rajamouli on the GlobeTrotter Preparations
Ahead of Prithviraj’s first-look reveal, Rajamouli indicated that considerable preparation was underway for the GlobeTrotter event while the team was simultaneously working on the film.
He wrote:
“Amidst the climax shoot on set with all three, there’s a lot more prep happening around the #GlobeTrotter event, as we’re trying something far beyond what we’ve done before.”
The filmmaker’s update also confirmed that Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran were together for the climax shoot at the time.
The ongoing climax filming was described as an elaborate undertaking, adding another indication of the scale at which the project was being mounted.
Kumbha First Look Started the Announcement Week
The unveiling of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Kumbha marked the beginning of an important announcement phase for the movie.
Multiple updates and surprises were planned around the GlobeTrotter campaign, beginning with character reveals and building towards the large-scale Ramoji Film City showcase.
For Malayalam audiences, Prithviraj’s presence was particularly significant, with the actor joining Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in Rajamouli’s post-RRR directorial.
Varanasi Release Date is 7 April 2027
The project introduced through the GlobeTrotter campaign is now titled Varanasi, with the movie scheduled to release worldwide in theatres on 7 April 2027.
The film Varanasi is produced by K.L. Narayana and S.S. Karthikeya under Sri Durga Arts and Showbiz, while M.M. Keeravani is composing the music.
With Mahesh Babu leading the film, Priyanka Chopra in a major role and Prithviraj Sukumaran appearing as the formidable Kumbha, Varanasi remains one of the biggest upcoming projects associated with SS Rajamouli.
Before that, Prithviraj fans can watch the actor in Khalifa from 20 August 2026, followed by his much-awaited appearance alongside Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in Varanasi on 7 April 2027.
Stay tuned to Kerala TV for the latest Varanasi release updates, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Kumbha character updates, posters and other official movie news.
