Varanasi: Why the 25-Minute Ramayana Sequence Could Become One of Mahesh Babu’s Biggest Screen Moments

SS Rajamouli’s upcoming Varanasi is attracting attention not just because it brings together Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran, but because the film appears to be combining mythology, adventure, fantasy and time-travel elements on an unusually large scale.

One of the biggest talking points is a lengthy Ramayana-inspired sequence involving Lord Rama and Kumbhakarna.

According to writer V. Vijayendra Prasad, the film contains an approximately 30-minute sequence centred on the Rama-Kumbhakarna battle. Separately, Rajamouli has described a roughly 25-minute Ramayana-inspired portion that took 60 days to shoot, with multiple interconnected episodes making up the sequence.

A Scene That Is More Than a Conventional Action Set Piece

What makes the sequence interesting is its reported structure.

Rajamouli explained that the long sequence consists of several smaller episodes, with each part demanding different emotions and creative approaches. He compared the process of shooting the individual portions to making separate films.

That suggests the filmmakers are not treating the Rama-Kumbhakarna material simply as a large-scale fight.

Instead, the sequence could combine:

• Mythological storytelling
• Character-driven emotion
• Large-scale action
• Performance capture and visual effects
• Elaborate production design
• Dramatic transitions between episodes

The reported 60-day shoot also indicates the amount of planning required for such a sequence.

Mahesh Babu’s Rama Connection

Mahesh Babu's reported portrayal of Lord Rama has become another major point of discussion around the movie.

Rajamouli previously recalled seeing Mahesh in the Rama look and said the sight gave him goosebumps. He also described Mahesh as having the charm associated with Krishna and the calmness associated with Rama.

Mahesh has also spoken about preparing for the role, including rehearsing aspects such as his posture and mannerisms.

This makes the Rama sequence particularly important because the character's presentation will depend on more than costumes and visual effects. The performance itself has to establish the required presence.

What About Prithviraj as Kumbhakarna?

The film's mythology angle also involves Prithviraj Sukumaran, who plays a character named Kumbha. Reports have connected the character with the Kumbhakarna material, while some details about the exact characterisation remain part of the film's mystery.

Vijayendra Prasad, however, has specifically described the much-discussed sequence as a war between Rama and Kumbhakarna. He also teased elements involving Hanuman's tail and a chariot.

That gives audiences an idea of the scale without revealing the entire sequence.

Why the 25-Minute Length Matters

In most commercial films, an action sequence lasting several minutes can already become a major set piece.

A 25-minute mythology-based episode is considerably different.

It gives the filmmakers enough time to establish the situation, develop the characters, build tension and then move into the major confrontation.

The reported structure also suggests that the sequence may not play like one continuous battle. Instead, several smaller dramatic moments could build toward a larger climax.

Motion Capture Adds Another Layer

Another interesting technical detail is that a major sequence from Varanasi was filmed using motion-capture technology.

According to reports, a key sequence is approximately 25 minutes long and was captured on a motion-capture stage.

This technology can be particularly useful for sequences involving characters, creatures or environments that would later be enhanced extensively through visual effects.

For a mythology-heavy sequence, motion capture can potentially allow the filmmakers to combine live performances with digitally created elements while retaining human movement and expression.

Rajamouli's Larger Vision for Varanasi

The Ramayana material is only one component of Varanasi.

The film has been described as a globe-spanning adventure involving mythology, fantasy, natural disasters and time-travel elements. Rajamouli has also said that despite the scale of these elements, the emotional core of the story is a father-son relationship.

That contrast could be important.

Rather than presenting mythology as the entire story, Varanasi appears to be using mythological elements within a much broader adventure narrative.

Why Fans Are Watching This Sequence Closely

The combination of Mahesh Babu as Rama, the Rama-Kumbhakarna conflict, Rajamouli's filmmaking style and the reported 25-minute scale has naturally made this one of the most discussed portions of the movie.

However, many visual and story details are still officially under wraps.

What is currently established is that the filmmakers have invested substantial time and resources into a major Ramayana-inspired section, while Vijayendra Prasad has confirmed the Rama-Kumbhakarna battle as part of that material.

With Varanasi scheduled for theatrical release on April 7, 2027, audiences will have to wait to see how the complete sequence fits into Rajamouli's larger narrative.

Final Take

The most intriguing aspect of the Varanasi mythology sequence is not simply its reported length. It is the amount of storytelling packed into that runtime.

A 25-minute Ramayana-inspired section, reportedly assembled from multiple episodes and shot over 60 days, indicates that Rajamouli is treating the material as a substantial narrative block rather than a brief spectacle.

For Mahesh Babu, it could also become one of the film's defining performance moments—particularly because the role requires him to portray the calm, dignified presence associated with Lord Rama while operating inside a much larger fantasy-adventure world.