The highly anticipated GlobeTrotter launch of SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi was marred by technical glitches and an early online leak of the teaser. During the event at Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, the official teaser launch suffered power and equipment failures, delaying the presentation. Adding to the chaos, fans leaked the teaser on the internet hours before the scheduled release, prompting the director to take the stage and personally apologize to the audience for the disappointment.
In his apology, Rajamouli expressed deep frustration over the unauthorized drone activity that captured the teaser during a test screening. “Yesterday night we did not test the glimpse on this screen because a drone was flying here trying to leak our one year long hard work,” he said, explaining that 45 generators were required to power the massive screen and that the crew worked past midnight only to have the footage stolen. He emphasized the loss of thousands of man‑hours and crores of rupees invested in the project, urging respect for the creators’ effort.
The teaser itself introduced Mahesh Babu’s character Rudhra, shown riding a bull and clutching a blood‑stained trident against a backdrop of temples, hinting at a story that spans centuries and connects to the Ramayana. The announcement video also depicted an asteroid striking Earth, with fragments landing in Varanasi, Antarctica, Africa and other locations, suggesting a global, multi‑era narrative. Supporting looks for Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha and Priyanka Chopra as Mandakini were also unveiled, building excitement for the release.
Varanasi is positioned as Rajamouli’s most ambitious project to date, with a projected theatrical debut in 2027. The film’s production team has already teased a massive visual spectacle, blending mythology with modern storytelling. Fans and industry observers await further updates, hopeful that the final product will live up to the director’s vision despite the setbacks at the launch event.