Rajamouli: ‘I Don’t Choose a Star’ for Varanasi Casting

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has shared how he approaches casting for his upcoming epic adventure Varanasi, insisting that star power never drives his decisions. The director also said Mahesh Babu exceeded every expectation during the making of the film.

A Question on Directing Established Stars

Rajamouli was speaking to filmmaking students at Penn State University in the United States when one of them raised an interesting point. The student noted that Rajamouli had worked with Prabhas, Jr NTR and Ram Charan on projects like Baahubali and RRR, helping shape their rise to superstardom. With Varanasi, however, he is directing Mahesh Babu, who is already among the biggest names in Indian cinema. The student asked whether that changes his approach.

Rajamouli’s answer was straightforward. “I never choose an actor just because he is a superstar,” he said, adding that he looks for someone who truly suits the character. Once an actor is chosen, he expects them to trust him while he guides them toward the performance the role demands.

Mahesh Babu Delivers 200 Percent

Speaking about the Varanasi shoot, the director said he went in expecting 100 percent from Mahesh Babu but received double that. According to Rajamouli, the actor’s commitment brought the character Rudhra to life in ways that surprised even him.

Apart from Mahesh Babu, Varanasi stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film has been shot across several continents, including Antarctica, underlining the scale Rajamouli is known for.

Varanasi is set for a worldwide release on April 7, 2027, in multiple languages. With a director who prioritises character over celebrity and a lead who gave his all, anticipation for the film continues to build among audiences across the country and beyond.