S.S. Rajamouli Unveils Priyanka Chopra’s New Varanasi Look
Priyanka Chopra Jonas has marked her 44th birthday with a striking new glimpse of Mandakini, her mysterious character in S.S. Rajamouli’s much-awaited action adventure Varanasi.
Rajamouli shared two contrasting photographs of the actress on 18 July 2026, capturing her playful off-screen personality in one frame and the intense energy of Mandakini in another.
“Grace when she smiles. Fire when she doesn’t. Mandakini… @PriyankaChopra in #Varanasi,” the filmmaker wrote while unveiling the images.
The first photograph shows transforms her into Mandakini, a commanding figure dressed in black, surrounded by warm lighting and an air of danger and the second photo shows Chopra smiling and leaping against an open landscape.
Priyanka Chopra Reveals Mandakini’s Darker Side
In the newly released film still, Chopra appears with windswept hair, a piercing gaze and an expression that blends confidence with menace.
She wears a fitted black ensemble featuring sheer sleeves and a structured, corset-inspired bodice. The amber-toned setting, soft shadows and blurred figures in the background add to the mystery surrounding the scene.
Unlike Mandakini’s earlier character poster, which showed her in a flowing yellow sari while holding a firearm, the birthday reveal is more intimate and character-driven.
The image does not feature a major action sequence. Instead, it focuses on Mandakini’s attitude, glamour and unpredictable presence.
Rajamouli’s description of the character through the words “grace” and “fire” also hints at two contrasting sides to her personality. However, the filmmakers have not revealed the context of the scene or Mandakini’s exact role in the story.
A New Look, Not Mandakini’s First Reveal
The birthday photographs are a fresh look at Mandakini rather than the character’s first official appearance.
Chopra’s original poster from the film’s 2025 promotional campaign presented Mandakini in a yellow sari, carrying a firearm and appearing ready for action.
The latest still introduces a dramatically different costume and atmosphere, expanding the character’s visual identity while keeping her story under wraps.
The distinction is important because the new image appears to reveal another layer of Mandakini rather than introduce her for the first time.
Priyanka Chopra Returns to Indian Cinema
Varanasi marks Chopra’s return to an Indian production after several years of working primarily in international film and television. It is her first Indian production since 2019, according to Entertainment Weekly.
The actress plays Mandakini, a bold and multifaceted character positioned within the central conflict involving Mahesh Babu’s Rudhra and Prithviraj Sukumaran’s antagonist Kumbha.
Chopra has also indicated that the film required physically demanding work, including elaborate slow-motion jumps and large-scale action material.
Her collaboration with Rajamouli has generated considerable interest, bringing her together with the filmmaker, Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj Sukumaran for the first time.
What Is ‘Varanasi’ About?
While the complete story remains closely guarded, Varanasi has been introduced as a mythology-infused, globe-trotting action adventure unfolding across different periods and locations.
The narrative reportedly spans millennia, moving from ancient civilizations to the present day. Its settings include Africa, Antarctica and the sacred Indian city of Varanasi, which was recreated on a large scale in Hyderabad. Parts of the film were also shot in Kenya’s Maasai Mara.
Rajamouli officially unveiled the title during a major event in Hyderabad in November 2025. The project was presented as a time-travel spectacle drawing on Hindu mythology, with references to the Ramayana.
The film follows Rajamouli’s global success with RRR and the two Baahubali films, raising expectations for another large-scale production combining action, emotion and spectacular visuals.
Fans React to Mandakini’s ‘Grace and Fire’
The contrasting photographs quickly attracted attention online.
Fans were particularly drawn to the shift between Chopra’s joyful outdoor photograph and Mandakini’s dark, intense screen presence.
Her black costume, dramatic styling and direct expression also prompted speculation about the scene. Some viewers wondered whether it could involve a performance, a hidden identity or an important confrontation.
None of those interpretations has been confirmed.
For now, the image reveals atmosphere rather than plot. It presents Mandakini as a woman who can combine glamour, control and danger, the contrast captured perfectly in Rajamouli’s “grace and fire” description.
When Will ‘Varanasi’ Release?
Varanasi is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 7 April 2027. The film is being positioned as a major large-format cinematic event, with an IMAX presentation included in its global release plans.
With Rajamouli directing, Mahesh Babu leading the cast and Chopra returning to Indian cinema in a major role, the project already carries significant international interest.
The latest images reveal little about Mandakini’s story, but they deepen the mystery surrounding her. One photograph celebrates Priyanka Chopra, while the other offers a glimpse of the fire her character may bring to Varanasi.
