Priyanka Chopra's Dance Condition in Varanasi Leaves Mahesh Babu 'Unhappy'
The highly anticipated film Varanasi, directed by SS Rajamouli and starring Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, has been generating buzz for nearly three years. With a summer release slated for 2027, the team is already building excitement, and a recent revelation from Priyanka Chopra has added an amusing twist to the film's backstory.
Priyanka's One Request: 'Can You Make Me Dance?'
In a candid interview, Priyanka Chopra shared that her return to Indian cinema after six years came with a specific condition. "I haven't done an Indian film in like six years," she said. "So when SS Rajamouli called me and he was like, 'You know this female character is really cool and you have to do it,' I was like, 'I have one request. Can you make me dance? Please? Because I haven't danced for so long.'"
Mahesh Babu, who was present during the interaction, quickly chimed in with a playful remark, "And he made her dance — and how!" This led to laughter from Priyanka, who admitted, "Woah! I should not have asked because we have been dancing. Oh my gosh, there's a lot."
Mahesh Babu's 'Unhappy' Reaction to the Dance Demands
Priyanka further elaborated on how her request impacted her co-star. "And poor Mahesh was like, 'Just because of you. Because of you, I have to do it too,'" she revealed. Mahesh described the experience as "sensational" but acknowledged the challenges. "I think we have already shot one song and it just keeps playing in our minds. She kept singing it all the time. And that song happened because she wanted to dance," he said.
In another interview with Screen Rant, the actors provided more context. Priyanka clarified that her desire to dance stemmed from her background as a Hindi film actress, where dancing was a significant part of her roles. "I told him I had one request that I should be able to dance in this movie. And unfortunately for Mahesh, he had to do it too. He wasn't very happy with me making that request," she admitted.
Mahesh agreed with a smile, saying, "Yeah, because it was tough. She was rehearsing, and I was like, 'Don't complain now — you asked for this.'" Priyanka concluded by confessing, "I didn't think the steps would turn out to be what they turned out to be," hinting at the rigorous choreography involved.
Varanasi: A Globetrotting Adventure with Deep Indian Roots
Varanasi is being touted as a globetrotting adventure that is deeply rooted in Indian culture. The storyline spans across timelines, travelling from 2000 BC all the way to 2027, promising a unique cinematic experience. The film's development has been ongoing for nearly three years, and it is expected to take another year before hitting the big screen.
Priyanka's excitement about returning to Indian cinema is palpable. "This is the first Indian film I am doing after six years. Just coming back and being within the culture again… and my favourite part was getting to dance. I haven't done that in any of my Hollywood productions. I was really excited about it," she shared.
Anticipation Builds for the 2027 Release
Following the massive success of RRR and the global recognition from Naatu Naatu's historic Oscar win, all eyes are on SS Rajamouli's next project. The unveiling of Varanasi has only heightened the anticipation, with fans eagerly awaiting its summer 2027 release.
While discussing other popular franchises like Don 3 and Krissh, Priyanka remained coy, laughing and saying, "I don't know if I can talk about either of them at all." Mahesh Babu cheekily responded, "It means something is definitely happening," adding to the intrigue surrounding her future projects.
As the team continues to build excitement, the behind-the-scenes anecdotes, such as Priyanka's dance condition and Mahesh's 'unhappy' reaction, offer a glimpse into the camaraderie and challenges involved in bringing Varanasi to life. With its ambitious storyline and star-studded cast, the film is poised to be a major event in Indian cinema.
