Mahesh Babu Trains in Martial Arts for SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi Role

SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi: Mahesh Babu Undergoes Months of Physical Training to Get in Shape for New Film

Mahesh Babu headlines SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi as Rudra, a character inspired by Lord Ram and built around physical control and presence. The project has drawn wide attention across India after the teaser revealed a fierce visual tone. 

Industry observers say the role requires disciplined movement, calm authority, and athletic endurance to match the film’s epic scale and mythic themes.

Actor Details Rigorous Training Process

In an interview with Screen Rant Plus, Mahesh Babu described the preparation demanded by SS Rajamouli’s process. “There’s a method to it. So when I play Lord Ram in this film, it’s very important that your posture, the way your character walks and stands, is correct,” the actor said. 

He trained for two to three months in Kalari, a traditional martial art from Kerala, to refine posture and control.

Running Technique Reworked for Key Scenes

The preparation extended beyond combat training to movement on screen. “Then he wanted to change my running technique. So I trained with a track and field team for 6 months, and there would be only two shots in the film,” Mahesh Babu said. 

The actor added that the demanding routine felt purposeful and enjoyable when aligned with the character’s intent and Rajamouli’s direction.

Teaser Reveals Epic Scale and Cast

The Varanasi teaser shows Rudra wielding a trishul, riding a bull, and framed in stark, dramatic imagery. Priyanka Chopra features as Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha. 

The film’s music is composed by Oscar-winning MM Keeravani, with the story by V. Vijayendra Prasad, underscoring the project’s large-scale ambition.

Conclusion: Craft Over Convenience Shapes Expectations

The movie Varanasi shows more intense physical training for its actors who need to master their roles than recent star-led action films, which focus on their visual effects. The production methods of Rajamouli follow his previous works, which required actors to undergo extensive training for short but important segments. 

The study of posture and movement, together with martial arts techniques, demonstrates authentic street fighting skills that create higher expectations for the performance of street fighting actors in the epic production. Early reactions suggest the approach may set a new benchmark for physical storytelling in mainstream Indian cinema.