Mahesh Babu's portrayal of Lord Rama in S.S. Rajamouli's upcoming film, "Varanasi," has been described as one of the most challenging roles of his career, requiring a complete transformation of his physical presence. The movie, also starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is slated for release on April 7, 2027.

To accurately depict Lord Rama, Mahesh Babu had to "unlearn modern physicality," as he put it. He spent a year preparing for the role. The actor revealed that embodying the character required a specific posture that differed significantly from contemporary stances. "I'm playing Lord Rama's character; it required posture," Mahesh Babu explained, noting that he couldn't stand like modern characters.

A significant part of his preparation involved intensive Kalari martial arts training for three months. This wasn't just for action sequences but to retrain his stance, balance, and overall body alignment to achieve a historically accurate and timeless demeanor. Mahesh Babu also dedicated months to physical conditioning.

In addition to Kalari, Mahesh Babu trained with a track and field team for several months to alter his running style. This comprehensive approach ensured that even his movements would resonate with the epic nature of the film and the divine persona he was portraying. He was very happy after seeing the shots and called the six months of physical training "worth it". According to the actor, this experience fundamentally changed how he walked and stood.

Rajamouli had conceived "Varanasi" as a globetrotting adventure deeply rooted in Indian cultural themes and drawing inspiration from classic adventure cinema. The film includes a Ramayana-inspired sequence, with the team spending 60 days shooting it. Rajamouli expressed that each segment of this sequence demanded elaborate planning and fresh visual imagination and that the portion will be one of the most memorable highlights of "Varanasi".

"Varanasi" is produced by Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business, with a script co-written by S.S. Rajamouli, V. Vijayendra Prasad, and S.S. Kanchi. The music is composed by M.M. Keeravani, with cinematography by P.S. Vinod and visual effects by V. Srinivas Mohan. With a budget between ₹1,000 to ₹1,300 crore, it is one of the most expensive Indian films ever made.