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Priyanka Chopra appears as Mandakini in new first-look stills for S.S. Rajamouli’s “Varanasi”
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jul 18, 12:09 AM EDT

Priyanka Chopra appears as Mandakini in new first-look stills for S.S. Rajamouli’s “Varanasi”

Two new images released on July 18 mark Priyanka Chopra’s birthday and provide an early look at her character Mandakini in the upcoming film directed by S.S. Rajamouli.

2 min readEditor-approved Apex article

S.S. Rajamouli’s next film, “Varanasi,” is getting an early preview of Priyanka Chopra’s role. Deadline reported that two newly released stills feature Chopra as Mandakini and were shared as part of a July 18 celebration of the actor’s birthday.

The images, according to Deadline, are presented as a first look at Chopra’s character in the film and come ahead of the movie’s wider marketing. The announcement ties the release of the stills to Chopra’s birthday, with the new images posted on Saturday, July 18.

Deadline’s report also frames the project as a long-horizon story set in Varanasi across thousands of years, with the film described as spanning multiple periods and locations within the city’s cultural landscape. The company behind the release and additional plot specifics were not included in the Deadline write-up provided for this publication.

Rajamouli is the director of “Varanasi,” following his work on large-scale, high-profile productions. Deadline’s piece positions the upcoming film as another major directorial project, with Chopra’s casting and the character reveal now serving as a focal point in the early rollout.

The first-look stills offer a glimpse at Chopra in the film’s costume and styling for Mandakini, with Deadline characterizing her as the central figure shown in the new images. No additional cast confirmations, character biographies, or scenes were detailed in the material available for this report.

With the first-look images now public, the next step for the production will be further marketing announcements, such as additional stills, cast updates, and release-timeline information. Until those details are released by the filmmakers or distributors, the project’s complete narrative and production schedule remain unclear from the current reporting.

Why It Matters

  • The July 18 release of first-look images extends early awareness of “Varanasi” and keeps marketing momentum tied to a major celebrity date.
  • A character reveal like Mandakini can influence audience interest and media coverage as the film moves toward future trailers or casting announcements.
  • Early promotional stills for high-profile projects often affect downstream planning by exhibitors and media outlets covering premieres, even before release dates are confirmed.
  • The film’s stated multi-era setting in Varanasi suggests a production with broad historical and visual scope, making early character imagery a key part of how the project will be understood by the public.

Sources

Key Facts

  • Deadline reported that two new stills from “Varanasi” featuring Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini were released on July 18.
  • The stills were shared to celebrate Chopra’s birthday on Saturday, July 18.
  • “Varanasi” is directed by S.S. Rajamouli, according to Deadline.
  • Deadline described the film as taking place in Varanasi across thousands of years and in multiple locations.
  • Deadline’s report frames the images as a first look at Chopra’s role in the upcoming film.