Rana Daggubati Denies Varanasi Role

NDTV | April 4, 2026 | 11:02 AM IST | Breaking News, Entertainment | Follow on Google News

Rana Daggubati Denies Varanasi Role

Rana Daggubati, speaking to a news portal, said he was never part of SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, clarifying fan speculation that arose due to his past collaboration with the director and theories about him playing an antagonist.

Details

Rana Daggubati first worked with director SS Rajamouli in Baahubali: The Beginning. He portrayed Bhallaladeva, a role that continued in Baahubali: The Conclusion. The character went on to become one of the most recognised performances of his career. Last year, a re-edited and remastered single-film version titled Baahubali: The Epic was released in theatres to mark ten years of the franchise.

Ahead of Rajamouli’s next film, Varanasi, reports and online discussions suggested several possible casting choices. The project stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Some fans speculated that Rana could be cast as the antagonist, drawing parallels with his role in the Baahubali films.

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However, in an interaction with News18, Rana clarified that he was never considered for a role in Varanasi. He said, “I’m not a part of the film. I do wish I was, but I’m not (laughs).”

More about Varanasi

Priyanka Chopra is gearing up for her return to Indian cinema with SS Rajamouli’s magnum opus, Varanasi. The film is set to release in theatres on April 7, 2027.

In November last year, the makers revealed the film’s official title during the Globetrotter event in Hyderabad. The teaser opens with a wide aerial shot of the ancient city, followed by a tense sequence showing a massive asteroid speeding towards Earth. It concludes with a striking visual of Mahesh Babu as Rudra, riding a bull and holding a trident.

Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran will play the antagonist in the film.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by VoM News staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

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