The first look at Priyanka Chopra’s character from director S.S. Rajamouli’s upcoming epic Varanasi has been unveiled.
According to Deadline, two new stills from the film were released on Saturday, 18 July, to mark Chopra’s birthday. The images introduce her as Mandakini, offering audiences their first glimpse of her role in the much-anticipated action-adventure.
Varanasi unfolds across thousands of years and spans multiple locations around the world, including Antarctica, Africa and the Indian city of Varanasi. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 7 April 2027.
The cast features Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film marks Rajamouli’s first feature since RRR, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song with Naatu Naatu. Composer M.M. Keeravani, who created the Oscar-winning track, returns to score Varanasi.
Speaking about working with Rajamouli during Cannes Lions last month, Chopra praised the filmmaker’s approach on set.
“He has complete and utter control on set. You just come as an actor in with the weight of your character, which is also really freeing as you’re not thinking about the things you would as a producer,” she said.
Alongside Varanasi, Chopra is also preparing to star in the survival thriller Reset, directed by Matt Smukler.
Written by Jordan Rawlins, Reset follows a woman, played by Chopra, who wakes up alone in the wilderness, days away from civilisation, with no memory of how she arrived there. Her only chance of survival lies in trusting a charming stranger, played by Orlando Bloom, who may not be who he claims to be.
Production on Reset is reportedly expected to begin in August.
