Prithviraj birthday: Mahesh Babu, Rajamouli, Tovino wish Varanasi star
Synopsis
Prithviraj Sukumaran's birthday became a mini-showcase for S S Rajamouli's upcoming blockbuster Varanasi, as co-star Mahesh Babu and the director both sent wishes referencing his antagonist character Kumbha — a specially abled villain in a wheelchair with robotic limbs. The greetings signal how much buzz is building around one of Indian cinema's most ambitious multi-star collaborations.
Key Takeaways
Prithviraj Sukumaran celebrated his birthday on Friday, 16 October .
Mahesh Babu wished Prithviraj on X , addressing him as Kumbha — his character name in Varanasi .
Director S S Rajamouli posted a dramatic birthday note on X , teasing the scale of the Kumbha character.
Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas also greeted Prithviraj on Instagram .
Prithviraj plays the antagonist Kumbha , a specially abled person in a wheelchair with robotic arms and legs, in Rajamouli's Varanasi .
Rajamouli had first revealed Prithviraj's look in November of last year, calling him 'one of the finest actors I've ever known.'
Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran turned a year older on Friday, 16 October, and the birthday wishes poured in from across the film industry — with his Varanasi co-star Mahesh Babu, director S S Rajamouli, and fellow Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas all taking to social media to mark the occasion. The outpouring of greetings also offered fresh glimpses into the buzz surrounding Rajamouli's highly anticipated pan-India magnum opus.
Mahesh Babu's Birthday Message
Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, who shares the screen with Prithviraj in Varanasi, took to his X timeline to extend warm wishes. Quoting a post from the film's official handle, he wrote, 'Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Kumbha …. have a wonderful one… lots of love n happiness always… !!!' The message was directed at Prithviraj's character name, underscoring how deeply the cast has embraced their roles ahead of the film's release.
Rajamouli's Unique Wish for Prithviraj
Director S S Rajamouli chose a characteristically dramatic note for his birthday greeting. On his X timeline, the RRR and Baahubali director wrote, 'Happy birthday Prithvi. Didn't want to awaken the Kumbha within you today. The Kumbha who is destined to make his mark on the world. @PrithviOfficial #Varanasi.' The message reinforced the weight and scale of the antagonist's character in the film. The film's official handle also joined in, describing Prithviraj's role as 'The most complex mind in #VARANASI.'
Tovino Thomas and Other Greetings
Malayalam actor and producer Tovino Thomas kept his birthday note brief but warm, writing 'Happy birthday brother' on his Instagram page. The message highlighted the camaraderie within the Malayalam film fraternity, of which both Tovino and Prithviraj are prominent members.
Prithviraj as Kumbha — What We Know
Rajamouli had first revealed Prithviraj's look in Varanasi in November of the previous year. Sharing the first-look poster on X, Rajamouli had written, 'After canning the first shot with Prithvi, I walked up to him and said you are one of the finest actors I've ever known. Bringing life to this sinister, ruthless, powerful antagonist KUMBHA was creatively very satisfying. Thank you Prithvi for slipping into his chair… literally… @PrithviOfficial #GlobeTrotter.' Prithviraj had responded, 'It's been an absolute honour Sir! So looking forward to the rest of this mad mad ride!' Notably, the character Kumbha is depicted as a specially abled person, shown seated in a wheelchair fitted with robotic arms and legs — a visually striking design choice that already has audiences intrigued.
Varanasi: The Big Picture
Varanasi marks one of the most ambitious multi-star collaborations in recent Indian cinema, uniting Rajamouli with both Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The birthday celebrations on social media have only amplified anticipation for the project, with fans across languages closely tracking every update from the film's official channels.
Point of View
Keeping the film's narrative front of mind for fans. Rajamouli's deliberate, character-immersive messaging style has worked before with Baahubali and RRR, and it appears to be the playbook here too. What stands out is the cross-industry reach: a Telugu superstar, a pan-India director, and a Malayalam actor-producer all amplifying the same franchise in a single news cycle. For a film still in production, that is unusually coordinated visibility.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prithviraj Sukumaran playing in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi?
Prithviraj Sukumaran plays the antagonist Kumbha in SS Rajamouli's Varanasi — described by the makers as 'the most complex mind' in the film. The character is depicted as a specially abled person who uses a wheelchair fitted with robotic arms and legs.
What did Mahesh Babu write on Prithviraj's birthday?
Mahesh Babu took to X and wrote, 'Wishing you a very Happy Birthday Kumbha …. have a wonderful one… lots of love n happiness always… !!!' He quoted the film's official handle while sending the message, addressing Prithviraj by his character's name.
What did SS Rajamouli say about Prithviraj's performance in Varanasi?
When Rajamouli shared Prithviraj's first look as Kumbha, he said Prithviraj is 'one of the finest actors I've ever known' and called bringing the character to life 'creatively very satisfying.' He added that Prithviraj was 'sinister, ruthless, powerful' in the role.
When was Prithviraj's look in Varanasi first revealed?
SS Rajamouli first revealed Prithviraj's look as Kumbha in Varanasi in November of the previous year, through a first-look poster shared on his X timeline.
Who else wished Prithviraj on his birthday?
Besides Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli, Malayalam actor and producer Tovino Thomas also wished Prithviraj on his birthday, posting 'Happy birthday brother' on Instagram. The film's official Varanasi handle also shared a special birthday message.
