Varanasi: Mahesh Babu as Rama, Who as Hanuman?

Fans of Mahesh Babu were sent into a frenzy on Monday morning after a speculative report began circulating that the superstar is in talks to play Lord Rama in a high-budget mythological drama titled Varanasi. However, a closer look at the available information reveals that this is not a new project announcement, but rather a case of old data resurfacing and being misinterpreted online.

The buzz, which originated from a fan-made poster and an unverified social media claim, suggests that the film would feature a heavyweight actor in the role of Hanuman. Yet, according to the official records of the film Varanasi, the project is a 2019 release that has no connection to Mahesh Babu or any mythological storyline. The film, directed by Dheeraj Pandit, is a straightforward action-drama with a runtime of 149 minutes, and it tells the story of the unconditional love between two brothers, Amar and Prem.

The confusion appears to stem from a title match, as the 2019 film is simply named Varanasi, which has led to recent speculation being mistakenly attached to it. The original movie, which hit theaters on October 18, 2019, does not feature any of the actors mentioned in the viral rumor. Instead, its cast includes Anjali Abrol, Dev Sharma, Aanjjan Srivastav, Anupam Shyam, Deepak Bhatia, Govind Namdeo, and Jitendra Singh Sabu. Interestingly, director Dheeraj Pandit also took on an acting role in the production.

The romantic and dramatic elements of the 2019 film were woven into a narrative that focused on sibling bonds and emotional conflict, set against the backdrop of the holy city of Varanasi. The movie’s performance at the box office was modest, and it did not generate significant buzz upon its initial release. Its TMDb rating currently stands at a negligible 0/10, reflecting its obscurity within the larger landscape of Indian cinema.

Despite the factual mismatch, the rumor has gained traction on social media platforms, particularly among Telugu-speaking audiences who are eager for any news about Mahesh Babu’s next big-screen appearance. The superstar has been relatively quiet on the work front, and speculation about his upcoming projects tends to spread rapidly, often without verification. In this instance, the claim appears to be a hoax, potentially created by a fan account experimenting with artificial intelligence-generated images of the actor in divine attire.

The question of who would play Hanuman alongside Mahesh Babu, should such a film ever be greenlit, remains purely hypothetical at this point. Industry insiders who were contacted for clarification dismissed the reports as baseless, pointing out that no such project has been registered with any production house or announced by the actor’s team. Furthermore, the original Varanasi film has no mythological elements whatsoever, making the viral narrative entirely detached from the actual source material.

It is also worth noting that the 2019 film’s director, Dheeraj Pandit, is not a prominent name in Telugu cinema. His work has primarily been in the Hindi film industry, which further undermines the idea that he would helm a large-scale mythological epic with a star like Mahesh Babu. The actor’s recent filmography has leaned toward contemporary action and family dramas, and there has been no official word about him venturing into the mythological genre.

For now, fans should treat the Varanasi rumor as nothing more than fan fiction. The actual movie with that title belongs to a different era, a different director, and a completely different cast. It is a classic example of how a single poster or a creatively edited video can mislead thousands of viewers before the truth comes to light. Entertainment journalists and fact-checkers within the Telugu film fraternity have urged followers to rely only on announcements made by the actor’s official management or established media outlets.

As of August 10, 2026, Mahesh Babu’s confirmed projects have not been disclosed to the public. Any claims about his involvement in spiritual or mythological biopics should be considered premature unless backed by credible production banners. Until then, the only Varanasi that exists in the public record is the 149-minute action-drama featuring Dev Sharma and Anjali Abrol, a film that was released nearly seven years ago and had a limited theatrical run.

The entertainment industry is no stranger to misinformation, and this incident serves as a reminder for audiences to verify details before sharing. The original Varanasi may have been forgotten by many, but it has now unexpectedly resurfaced in conversation due to this baseless speculation. Whether this renewed attention will lead to any nostalgic interest in the 2019 film remains to be seen, but it certainly does not signal a new Mahesh Babu project. The narrative of Rama and Hanuman on the silver screen, while appealing, is simply not on the horizon based on any verifiable evidence available today.

Source: Filmibeat Telugu