NEW DELHI — Priyanka Chopra Jonas labeled SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi a career-defining project at the premiere of her new Amazon Prime Video film The Bluff. The Bollywood-Hollywwod star co-stars with Mahesh Babu in the ambitious production, which blends adventure, time travel and mythology.

“He is one of the best that we have in India,” Chopra Jonas said of Rajamouli, the director behind RRR and the Baahubali series. Her comments amplified excitement for Varanasi, which features Mahesh Babu as Rudhra, a globe-trotting adventurer who handles time. Babu also portrays Lord Rama in a mythological segment, according to production details.

Prithviraj Sukumaran joins as Kumbha, a futuristic supervillain depicted in a high-tech wheelchair in the first-look poster. That image, released earlier, shows him in a sleek, armored chair amid neon-lit ruins. The ensemble signals Rajamouli’s push beyond typical Indian blockbusters.

Filming stands at about 50% complete as of late 2025. Crews expect to wrap by June 2026, targeting an April 2027 release. The schedule leaves room for post-production on the visual effects-heavy story.

Chopra Jonas plays Mandakini, a femme fatale whose first-look poster captures her in dramatic attire against Varanasi’s ghats. Fans see it as a high-stakes return to Hindi cinema after years in Hollywood. She last headlined major Indian films like Mary Kom and Bajirao Mastani.

This marks a full-circle moment. Chopra Jonas broke out with Bollywood hits in the 2000s before Quantico and global projects. Teaming with Rajamouli elevates her profile back home while drawing international eyes to Telugu cinema.

Audience reactions online exploded after her premiere remarks. Social media filled with clips from The Bluff event, where she spoke to reporters. “It’s career-defining,” she added, without elaborating on her role.

Viewers can see Chopra Jonas first in The Bluff, a 19th-century pirate thriller set for Amazon Prime Video on February 25, 2026. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, it reunites her with co-star Karl Urban in a tale of revenge on the high seas.

Rajamouli’s track record fuels optimism. RRR won an Oscar for its Naatu Naatu song and grossed over $170 million worldwide. Baahubali: The Beginning and its sequel reshaped South Indian epics for global audiences.

Varanasi shoots have spanned locations from the sacred city of Varanasi to futuristic sets in Hyderabad. Reports indicate heavy use of practical effects alongside CGI for time-travel sequences. Budget estimates hover above $70 million, per industry sources.

Mahesh Babu, a Telugu superstar, brings Rudhra to life with action scenes filmed across continents. His dual role as Lord Rama ties into the film’s spiritual core, rooted in Hindu lore. Prithviraj’s Kumbha pits modern villainy against ancient heroism.

Chopra Jonas’s involvement bridges East and West. Producers aim for a pan-Indian release with dubs in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and more. Hollywood distribution talks are underway, building on RRR’s success.

Her endorsement carries weight. Chopra Jonas has 90 million Instagram followers and produces via Purple Pebble Pictures. Varanasi fits her push for diverse roles post-Citadel and Heads of State.

As production accelerates, updates trickle out. A teaser might drop mid-2026, aligning with the wrap date. For now, Chopra Jonas’s hype sets the tone.