Priyanka Chopra is preparing for one of the most anticipated returns to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi. After spending several years building a successful career in Hollywood, the global star is back on an Indian film set for a large-scale project featuring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
The film represents Priyanka’s first Indian movie in almost seven years. She was last seen in The Sky Is Pink, which released in 2019. Since then, she has worked extensively in international cinema and television, making her return to an Indian production a major talking point.
Priyanka Chopra Returns With SS Rajamouli
Priyanka Chopra’s comeback film is being directed by SS Rajamouli, the filmmaker behind Baahubali and RRR. The project brings together three major names from Indian cinema, with Mahesh Babu in the lead and Prithviraj Sukumaran also playing a key role.
Priyanka plays Mandakini, while Mahesh Babu portrays Rudhra and Prithviraj plays Kumbha, according to the details released around the film.
For Priyanka, the project is also significant because it takes her back to the kind of large-scale Indian theatrical cinema that established her career before her move to Hollywood.
Varanasi Release Date Is Confirmed
The makers have officially locked April 7, 2027 as the theatrical release date for Varanasi. Priyanka Chopra herself acknowledged the release announcement, while the makers also promoted the date through the film’s official campaign.
The release date gives the team considerable time to complete the remaining production and post-production work on what is being mounted as a large-scale international adventure.
Priyanka Has Already Started Shooting
Priyanka has been actively involved in the production of Varanasi. In February 2026, she revealed during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that the film had already been in production for around 14 months, with another six months of shooting expected at that point.
She later travelled to Hyderabad for the shoot, where much of the film’s production has been taking place. In June, reports showed Priyanka balancing her demanding shooting schedule with some downtime in the city.
The lengthy production timeline reflects the scale of Rajamouli’s project and its extensive action and adventure elements.
Rajamouli Says Major Action Portions Are Done
SS Rajamouli provided another production update in July 2026, revealing that approximately 80 days of filming were still pending at that stage.
The filmmaker said the major action sequences had already been completed, with the remaining schedule focused on connecting portions of the story. The update indicated that the film was continuing toward its April 2027 release.
Given Rajamouli’s reputation for large-scale visual storytelling, the film’s action sequences are expected to be among its major attractions.
Priyanka Wanted A Dance Song
Priyanka has also revealed an interesting condition she had before joining the project. During an interview, she said she wanted a dance sequence in the film.
The actress explained that after spending several years away from Indian cinema, she wanted her comeback to retain an element audiences traditionally associate with her Indian film career. She jokingly told Rajamouli that she “had to do a dance song” before signing on.
The revelation added a lighter side to the otherwise massive scale surrounding Varanasi.
What Is Varanasi About?
The makers have kept the complete plot under wraps, but the material released so far suggests that Varanasi combines adventure, mythology, science-fiction elements and multiple time periods.
The film’s title and first-look material were unveiled during the Globetrotter event in Hyderabad in November 2025. The promotional material featured locations ranging from Varanasi and Africa to Antarctica and hinted at a story that travels across different eras.
The exact connection between these locations and the film’s central story remains closely guarded.
Priyanka’s Bollywood Comeback After The Sky Is Pink
Priyanka Chopra’s last Hindi film was The Sky Is Pink, released in 2019. After that, her career increasingly shifted towards international projects.
She has since appeared in projects including The Matrix Resurrections, Citadel and Love Again, while continuing to work as a producer and entrepreneur. Her return with Varanasi therefore marks an important reunion with Indian theatrical cinema.
Priyanka has previously spoken about the challenges of rebuilding her career in Hollywood after leaving India. Her decision to return with a filmmaker of Rajamouli’s scale has generated considerable interest among audiences in India and overseas.
Mahesh Babu And Prithviraj Complete The Cast
Alongside Priyanka, Varanasi features Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran in prominent roles. Mahesh plays Rudhra, while Prithviraj appears as Kumbha.
The combination of the three actors gives the film a pan-Indian cast, while Rajamouli’s direction adds to its international ambitions.
With the film being shot on a large scale and incorporating extensive action, adventure and visual effects, Varanasi is shaping up as a major theatrical release for 2027.
Priyanka Chopra’s Return Could Be A Major Career Moment
Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema is significant not simply because of the long gap but also because of the project she has chosen. Instead of returning with a small-scale drama, she has joined one of India’s most ambitious productions under SS Rajamouli.
With the film scheduled for April 7, 2027, audiences still have a considerable wait before seeing Priyanka as Mandakini on the big screen.
For now, the combination of Priyanka Chopra, Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj Sukumaran and SS Rajamouli has made Varanasi one of the major Indian films to watch ahead of its 2027 theatrical release.
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