Varanasi Poster Drops Actor Names, Rajamouli’s Vision Stands Out

SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi was unveiled during a grand event at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, attended by Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. While the announcement created massive excitement, fans immediately noticed a striking detail in the first title poster—the absence of actor names.

The film’s three-minute title reveal video ends with the line “SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi,” followed by credits for writer V. Vijayendra Prasad, music director MM Keeravani, and key technicians. However, the names of the three lead actors do not appear anywhere on the poster or title card.

This omission sparked curiosity online, with many wondering why actor names were excluded. Rajamouli’s longtime fans quickly clarified that this is a deliberate creative choice he has followed since Baahubali. His belief is that the world, characters, and storytelling must take center stage—not the star power behind them. Even in his films, actor introductions are left unlabelled, preserving immersion and letting the narrative speak for itself. Actor names are added only in the end credits.

Many also highlighted that Rajamouli himself is the strongest global brand associated with the project, and audiences worldwide recognize his films more by his name than by the cast. As fans pointed out, Rajamouli’s vision and storytelling have become the primary selling points, overshadowing even major stars.

The title reveal also offered the first glimpses of the film's characters.

• Mahesh Babu appears as Rudhra, shown riding a bull through the streets of Varanasi.

• Priyanka Chopra plays Mandakini, a mysterious, gun-wielding protagonist draped in a saree.

• Prithviraj Sukumaran portrays Kumbha, the antagonist, who is seen seated in a wheelchair.

Details about the characters remain limited, adding to the intrigue surrounding the film’s vast, multi-era storyline that reportedly spans continents and centuries. Varanasi, currently in production, is scheduled for a worldwide release on Sankranthi 2027.