SS Rajamouli Praises Mahesh Babu’s Performance in Varanasi: ‘He Gave 200%’
SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu’s upcoming collaboration Varanasi has been attracting considerable attention well ahead of its theatrical release. While audiences have already been discussing the film’s scale, cast and ambitious concept, Rajamouli has now offered another reason for the excitement: his experience working with Mahesh Babu.
Speaking during an interaction with filmmaking students at Penn State University, Rajamouli discussed his approach to selecting actors and explained why a star’s popularity alone is not enough for him to choose someone for a role. During the conversation, he also spoke highly of Mahesh Babu’s work in Varanasi, saying the actor exceeded what he had expected from him.
Rajamouli Says He Does Not Cast Actors Simply Because They Are Superstars
One of the more interesting aspects of Rajamouli’s comments was his explanation of how he approaches casting.
According to the director, he does not select an actor merely because that person is a major star. Instead, he looks at whether the performer is suitable for the character and the requirements of the story.
Rajamouli explained that after choosing an actor, he expects the performer to trust his direction. His objective is then to bring out the performance that he believes the character requires.
This approach is particularly relevant to Varanasi because Mahesh Babu was already an established superstar before joining the project. Unlike some of Rajamouli’s earlier collaborations, the director is working with an actor who already has a massive following and a well-established screen image.
The comments suggest that Rajamouli sees the actor primarily through the requirements of the character rather than simply through his existing celebrity status.
Mahesh Babu Exceeded Rajamouli’s Expectations
Rajamouli’s strongest praise was reserved for Mahesh Babu’s performance in Varanasi.
The director said he initially expected Mahesh Babu to deliver 100 percent for the film. However, after beginning the journey with the actor, he felt that Mahesh had gone beyond those expectations.
Rajamouli described the performance as being equivalent to “200 percent,” emphasizing that the actor delivered considerably more than he had originally imagined.
The percentage should be understood as Rajamouli’s way of expressing his appreciation rather than as an objective measurement of an actor’s performance. His central point was that Mahesh brought more to the role than the director had anticipated.
Rajamouli also described working with Mahesh on Varanasi as a special experience, indicating that the collaboration has made a strong impression on him personally as a filmmaker.
Why the Comments Matter for Varanasi
For viewers, the significance of these comments lies less in the promotional excitement surrounding the film and more in what they reveal about the filmmaker-actor collaboration.
Mahesh Babu has frequently been associated with a polished and controlled screen presence. Rajamouli’s filmmaking, meanwhile, is known for demanding performances that fit the scale and emotional requirements of his stories.
His comments indicate that Varanasi has involved an effort to take Mahesh beyond simply reproducing the characteristics audiences already associate with him.
That distinction could become important once audiences see the completed film. A major star working with a director known for large-scale storytelling does not automatically guarantee a particular type of performance. What matters ultimately is how the actor, character and narrative work together on screen.
A Major Collaboration After RRR
Varanasi is Rajamouli’s next major feature following RRR, while it marks his first collaboration with Mahesh Babu.
The film also brings together an international-facing cast, with Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran playing important roles alongside Mahesh Babu. Mahesh is associated with the character Rudhra in the project.
The combination of Rajamouli’s filmmaking approach and Mahesh Babu’s established popularity has made the project one of the most closely followed upcoming Indian films.
The movie is being produced by KL Narayana under Durga Arts, while MM Keeravani is handling the music and PS Vinod is the cinematographer, according to the reported production details. The makers have announced a worldwide theatrical release for April 7, 2027.
The Bigger Expectation Around Mahesh Babu
Rajamouli’s comments also underline the expectations surrounding Mahesh Babu’s role.
When a filmmaker says that an actor performed beyond what was expected, it naturally increases curiosity about what audiences will eventually see. However, the actual impact of the performance can only be judged after the film is released.
For now, Rajamouli’s statement provides an interesting insight into the creative process behind Varanasi. It suggests that the director was not satisfied simply with having a superstar in the lead. He wanted Mahesh Babu to fully adapt to the demands of the character and contribute something beyond the expectations attached to his existing image.
As production and promotional activities continue, more information about the film’s story, characters and technical scale is expected to emerge. Until then, Rajamouli’s strong appreciation of Mahesh Babu’s work has added another layer of anticipation to a collaboration that already carries enormous expectations.
Ultimately, the real test will come when Varanasi reaches theatres in 2027. Until that point, the “200 percent” remark remains Rajamouli’s enthusiastic assessment of Mahesh Babu’s contribution—and an intriguing indication of what the director believes the actor has brought to their first film together.
