Globetrotter night electrifies Hyderabad as Rajamouli drops ‘Varanasi’ glimpse and celebrations shake Ramoji Film City

The GlobeTrotter event at Ramoji Film City turned into one of the biggest cinematic celebrations in recent years, as fans gathered in overwhelming numbers to witness the unveiling of SS Rajamouli’s much-anticipated film, now officially titled Varanasi . The evening was marked by electrifying cheers, emotional tributes, star-studded appearances, and the long-awaited release of the first teaser, which had fans erupting into chants as Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and the entire team walked onto the grand stage. A two-minute glimpse was offered after years of waiting, and thousands of viewers watched with breathless excitement as the teaser streamed live, turning the whole venue into a storm of shouts, applause, and “Jai Babu” slogans that echoed repeatedly. Mahesh Babu was shown on the big screen before the teaser, and the crowd’s reaction was so loud that he was visibly shy, and it was felt that he wanted to do right by every fan present there.

A teaser filled with worlds, timelines, and mysteries

The teaser itself became the biggest highlight of the night. It was witnessed that SS Rajamouli delivered exactly the level of cinematic grandeur expected from him, as every frame seemed to belong to a different world. Antarctica’s icy seas were revealed in one shot, followed by a completely contrasting visual of the ghats of Varanasi glowing against the evening sky, while another shot showcased endless desert landscapes. When viewed closely, it was noticed that Mahesh Babu appeared in every sequence performing a different adventure, sparking widespread curiosity about who his character really is. Rajamouli had previously mentioned that Mahesh Babu would be playing Rama in a mythological period, but the teaser presented visuals that deepened the mystery further. The character was introduced as Rudhra, another name associated with Lord Shiva, and he was shown riding an ox, which is traditionally considered to be the vehicle of Shiva. Coincidentally, the film’s title Varanasi directly connects to Shiva’s holy city, and this combination of clues left fans questioning whether the film belongs to mythology, time travel, science fiction, adventure, or action. A title card showing Earth and what appeared to be an asteroid shaped like an arrow striking it was also observed, reminding fans of the divine symbol of Rama’s bow and arrow. Even the two “A” letters in the title were shown carrying two Rama flags at their heads, adding to the symbolic layering that Rajamouli is known for. In the glimpse the storyline involves a form of time travel or time-trotting adventure.

A night of tributes, speeches, technology, and stellar appearances

During the event, Rajamouli’s speech was delivered in a way that highlighted both pride and ambition. It was said by him that groundbreaking new technology was being introduced into Telugu cinema for Varanasi , including a premium large-scale filming format created specially for IMAX screens. In his words, the character of Rama played by Mahesh Babu was described as unexpectedly handsome, filled with valor, compassion, and fury, traits that he believed only Mahesh Babu could portray with such impact. Music director MM Keeravani’s speech was also delivered, in which it was shared that the background score had been crafted with new techniques to match the film’s massive scale, and it was expressed that the audience would experience something never seen before in Indian cinema. Actress Shruti Haasan performed onstage and added glamour and cultural richness to the evening, receiving enthusiastic applause from those present.

The emotional core of the event was felt when Mahesh Babu’s earlier tribute to his late father, veteran actor Ghattamaneni Krishna, was remembered through his Instagram post where it had been written by him that he had been thinking of his father a little more that day and knew that Krishna would have been proud. Krishna, a Padma Bhushan awardee known for more than 350 films and pioneering achievements like Cinemascope and DTS in Telugu cinema, passed away in November 2022, and the memory of his legacy added emotional weight to the celebrations.

Priyanka Chopra received huge attention for her breathtaking arrival in an elegant white lehenga-saree paired with traditional jewellery. Social media was sent into a frenzy as her pictures went viral instantly. On stage, Priyanka affectionately addressed Mahesh Babu using playful nicknames, remarking that fans call him “Bob,” others call him “Lion,” but she prefers calling him simply “MB.” Her comments were received with loud laughter and applause from the audience, creating one of the evening’s most memorable moments. She was seen greeting fans with a Namaste and waving warmly, while standing alongside Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Her role as Mandakini in the film was confirmed, while Prithviraj was introduced as Kumbha. Mahesh Babu’s family, Namrata Shirodkar and Sitara, were also present at the venue and were seen cheering for him.

Fans who had waited for years for just a two-minute glimpse of the film expressed that the wait was worth it. The roar of the crowd, the energy inside Ramoji Film City, and the emotional and visual highs of the night turned the event into a moment that will be remembered for a long time. Varanasi is scheduled for a grand theatrical release during Sankranti 2027, and after this event, the anticipation surrounding the film reached an entirely new level.