Mahesh Babu turns 50: Varanasi stills reveal Rudhra in Maasai Mara
Synopsis
On his 50th birthday, Mahesh Babu didn’t just thank his fans — he handed them their first look at Rudhra, his character in SS Rajamouli’s 'Varanasi'. Two stills shot in Kenya’s Maasai Mara and around Kilimanjaro signal a film of rare visual scale, with Rajamouli saying even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame struggled to contain what he saw on location.
Key Takeaways
Mahesh Babu celebrated his 50th birthday on 10 August , sharing a gratitude note with fans and colleagues.
The makers of 'Varanasi' released two exclusive stills of his character Rudhra to mark the occasion.
One still was shot in Kenya’s Maasai Mara ; director SS Rajamouli also mentioned filming around Kilimanjaro .
Rajamouli described Rudhra as ‘witty, vulnerable, and fierce’ — crediting Mahesh Babu for playing ‘fierce and fragile in the same breath.’ 'Varanasi' is produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business , with music by MM Keeravani , and releases worldwide on 7 April in IMAX .
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu marked his 50th birthday on Sunday, 10 August with an outpouring of affection from fans, family, and colleagues — and responded with a heartfelt note that also doubled as the first major update on his much-anticipated collaboration with director SS Rajamouli, the globe-trotting epic 'Varanasi'.
Mahesh Babu's Birthday Message
Taking to his social media timelines, the actor wrote, “Heart is full reading all your wishes. Truly overwhelmed in ways words can’t express. A big thank you to all my well wishers, friends, colleagues and media for your beautiful wishes and blessings.”
Addressing his fanbase directly, he added, “And to all my fans, thank you will never be enough. You have always been my constant love, strength and emotion. The love you continue to give me is something I feel incredibly blessed and grateful for.”
He also offered a promise tied to the film: “I promise to keep working hard and make you even prouder. #VARANASI is very close to my heart and I truly believe it’s going to be something special. I can’t wait for you all to experience it. Let’s make this journey together.”
First Look at Rudhra: Two Stills Unveiled
Marking the birthday occasion, the makers of 'Varanasi' released two exclusive stills offering the world its first glimpse of Mahesh Babu’s character, Rudhra. The first still depicted Rudhra at rest on a bamboo raft, surrounded by dense jungle — effortlessly magnetic and carrying a quiet, coiled intensity. The second transported viewers to the sweeping plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, where Rudhra stands with a commanding presence amid giraffes and wild beasts.
The images signal the film’s visual ambition — a world away from conventional Telugu cinema backdrops.
Rajamouli on Rudhra and the Africa Schedule
Director SS Rajamouli offered a rare window into the character’s emotional architecture. “Rudhra was born to fulfill a purpose much larger than himself. He carries a destiny he did not ask for. He is witty, he is vulnerable, and he is fierce. That is what Mahesh brought to him. Anyone can play fierce. Very few can play fierce and fragile in the same breath,” he said.
Rajamouli also spoke of the scale of the Africa shoot: “These frames are from our Africa schedule, and the land gave us something no set could. Shooting around Kilimanjaro and in the Maasai Mara, I was stunned. There were mornings when I felt even the 1.43:1 IMAX frame could not hold what was in front of us.”
What 'Varanasi' Is About
According to sources close to the production, 'Varanasi' is conceived as a globe-trotting, century-spanning epic — following one man’s extraordinary journey from the sacred waters of India to the wildest corners of the earth. The film is directed by SS Rajamouli, with music composed by MM Keeravani, and is being produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business.
The film is set for a worldwide release on 7 April next year in IMAX — a format Rajamouli’s comments suggest the production has been specifically designed to fill.
Point of View
But a positioning exercise for one of Indian cinema’s most scrutinised projects. Rajamouli’s IMAX comment is telling: this is a filmmaker who believes the African landscape itself is a co-star, and he wants audiences to feel that before a single frame of story is shown. The choice to lead with Maasai Mara imagery also signals that 'Varanasi' will lean hard into its international scale, distancing itself from the domestic-epic template. Whether that gamble pays off commercially — especially in Tier 2 and Tier 3 Telugu markets — remains the real question no birthday post can answer.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SS Rajamouli's 'Varanasi' about?
'Varanasi' is described as a globe-trotting, century-spanning epic following one man’s extraordinary journey from the sacred waters of India to the wildest corners of the earth. Mahesh Babu plays the lead character Rudhra, with the film shot across locations including Kenya’s Maasai Mara and the Kilimanjaro region.
When does 'Varanasi' release?
'Varanasi' is set for a worldwide release on 7 April next year in IMAX. The film is produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business.
Who is Rudhra in 'Varanasi'?
Rudhra is Mahesh Babu’s character in 'Varanasi'. Director SS Rajamouli described him as someone ‘born to fulfill a purpose much larger than himself’ — witty, vulnerable, and fierce, carrying a destiny he did not choose.
What did the 'Varanasi' first-look stills show?
Two stills were released on Mahesh Babu’s birthday. The first showed Rudhra at rest on a bamboo raft in a dense jungle setting. The second placed him on the sweeping plains of Kenya’s Maasai Mara, surrounded by giraffes and wild beasts.
Who is composing the music for 'Varanasi'?
Music for 'Varanasi' is composed by MM Keeravani, who previously scored Rajamouli’s 'RRR', which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2023.
