The actress stars as Mandakini, described as “strong, vulnerable, and unforgettable in equal measure.”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas smolders in first look at RRR director’s new globetrotting epic, Varanasi (exclusive)

The actress stars as Mandakini, described as “strong, vulnerable, and unforgettable in equal measure.”

By Mike Miller

Mike Miller

Mike Miller is the executive editor on the movies team at . He previously worked as a writer-reporter for PEOPLE and TMZ.

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July 17, 2026 9:00 p.m. ET

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Priyanka Chopra Jonas in ‘Varanasi’. Credit:

Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business

- Priyanka Chopra Jonas stars as Mandakini in *RRR *director SS Rajamouli’s new film *Varanasi.*

- EW has the exclusive first look at the character, described as “strong, vulnerable, and unforgettable in equal measure.”

- Hitting theaters on April 7, 2027, the film is an “epic, action-adventure that spans thousands of years from ancient civilizations to the present day across multiple continents.”

Priyanka Chopra Jonas is smoldering in a first look at her highly anticipated upcoming film, *Varanasi*.

*The Bluff *star is joining forces with SS Rajamouli, the legendary director behind *RRR*, for her much-awaited return to Indian cinema — and * *can exclusively share the first images of her character.

In *Varanasi*, Chopra’s first Indian theatrical release since 2019’s *The Sky Is Pink*, she plays Mandakini, a “fierce, globetrotting character who is strong, vulnerable and unforgettable in equal measure.”

Rajamouli’s first original film since the global sensation *RRR*, *Varanasi *is described as an “epic, action-adventure that spans thousands of years from ancient civilizations to the present day across multiple continents, with characters traversing Antarctica, Africa, and the holy city of Varanasi itself.” (The filmmaker recreated the sacred city in Hyderabad, replicating its famous ghats, temples, and palatial architecture.)

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The film’s male lead, Rudhra, is played by acclaimed Indian star Mahesh Babu, who also plays Lord Rama in a secondary role. Prithviraj Sukumaran plays Kumbha, the primary antagonist, a man who uses a wheelchair and is “dangerously unlimited in his mentality.” Chopra’s Mandakini finds herself caught between both men.

Known for his epic productions, Rajamouli filmed *Varanasi *in Kenya’s Maasai Mara alongside real wild animals (some of which you can see in the background of the photo below), with special access granted by the Kenyan government.

Priyanka Chopra Jonas as Mandakini in ‘Varanasi’.

Sri Durga Arts and Showing Business

Though Chopra has been guarded about her role, she recently spoke about the film in an appearance on the “Hey Jonas” podcast, hosted by her husband, Nick, and brothers-in-law, Kevin and Joe. “I have been working on it for about 14 months now. But SS Rajamouli is known to take that kind of time to make movies. He called me for this movie, and it’s this epic adventure around the world and in time. It has taken a minute, but I’m so excited about it. I do many amazing slow-motion jumps in it, and that’s all I can say about it.”

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Widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers in Indian history, Rajamouli earned worldwide recognition with 2022’s *RRR*, which garnered near-universal critical acclaim and praise from Hollywood titans including Steven Spielberg, James Cameron, and the Russo brothers. It also scored numerous accolades, including Best Original Song at the 95th Academy Awards for the infectious single “Naatu Naatu.” *RRR* remains the first and only Indian feature film to win an Oscar.

*Varanasi *hits theaters worldwide on April 7, 2027.

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