Varanasi Movie (Globetrotter): First Look and SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi Glimpse Breakdown
Varanasi Movie (Globetrotter): First look at SS Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu’s Globetrotter movie released. Makers have officially named the film Varanasi. This glimpse piqued the film’s buzz more than ever. The Varanasi story starts at 512 CE, when an asteroid hits the earth, according to First Look. After getting a glimpse of it, Rajamouli displays motion images of locations like Antarctica, Masai Mara, Sri Lanka, and Varanasi. They’re all visually appealing and inspire your confidence in this project. In the next scene, Rudra, Mahesh Babu’s character on Lord Shiva’s vehicle Nandi, increases the hype of this teaser with a trident in one hand. Let us tell you that, except for the Mahesh Babu scene, other visuals are CGI-generated.
SS Rajamouli, the visionary director behind Baahubali and RRR, has once again pushed the boundaries of Indian cinema with the Varanasi Glimpse. Amidst speculation that the teaser’s visuals were generated by AI, a closer look reveals a meticulously crafted tapestry of VFX, historical homage, and narrative depth. This article dissects Glimpse’s intricate details, underscoring Rajamouli’s commitment to authenticity and the impossibility of replicating such artistry through AI.
Varanasi Movie (Globetrotter): What Was Seen in the Teaser?
The teaser of the film starts with a grand glimpse of the city of Varanasi. After this, many sages are seen performing Havan. From the fire of the same Havan Asteroid is born, which falls directly from the sky into an icy river flowing into Antarctica. This is followed directly by a glimpse of Africa, where there are many animals. It is here that the glimpse of Hanuman is visible only after showing it to a monkey. Hanuman is then shown as a motion poster burning Lanka. Hanuman ji is shown lifting the mountain. After this, Rudra is shown holding a trident in his hand at Manikarnika Ghat in Varanasi. Mahesh Babu is seen sitting on Nandi in the teaser. After seeing a glimpse of Rudra, a different enthusiasm was seen among the fans.
Teaser Launched During the Event
The teaser of the film was launched brilliantly during the Globetrotter event. During this time, Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Rajamouli herself were present. Right now, only the first glimpse of Mahesh Babu can be seen in the teaser of the film. However, just this glimpse of him is enough to excite his fans. The teaser of the film has been presented in a grand manner using VFX.
What Did Mahesh Babu Say During the Event?
During the Globetrotter event, Mahesh Babu said from the stage, ‘I will make Rajamouli feel proud’. He said- I will make everyone feel proud! Most importantly, I will make my director feel proud. The entire country will be proud after the release of Varanasi.
What Did Rajamouli Say About the Character of Mahesh Babu?
Speaking during the event, Rajamouli said, ‘Since childhood, I have told many times what Ramayana and Mahabharata mean to me. It has been my dream to make them. I never thought that I would get a chance to shoot such an important part of Ramayana so soon. While writing every scene and every dialogue, I felt as if I were floating in the air. On the first day, when Mahesh came for a photoshoot in Lord Ram’s getup, I really got goosebumps. I was in a dilemma – Mahesh has the charm of Krishna, but also the peace of Ram. Still, I was full of confidence. I even made that photo my wallpaper… and later deleted it. So I really got goosebumps. I was in a dilemma – Mahesh has the charm of Krishna, but also the peace of Ram. Still, I was full of confidence. I even made that photo my wallpaper… and later deleted it. So I really got goosebumps. I was in a dilemma – Mahesh has the charm of Krishna, but also the peace of Ram. Still, I was full of confidence. I even made that photo my wallpaper… and later deleted it.
30-Minute-Long Action Sequence In Rajamouli’s Film
Earlier this week, Priyanka’s first poster was released, in which she is seen holding a gun in a yellow saree. She will play Mandakini. Rajamouli’s father and writer Vijayendra Prasad have explained that the film has an action sequence 30 minutes long. The music of this film has been composed by Oscar-winning M. Keeravani.
Shooting and Budget of the Film Varanasi
He also talked about the shooting of some parts of Varanasi. The film has been shot so far in Kenya, Hyderabad, and Odisha. We shot this sequence for 60 days and recently completed it. Every single day was a challenge. Every episode and sub-episode seemed like a movie in itself. Talking about the film’s budget, a report by the Kenyan portal The Star states that it is 135 million dollars (1188 crore rupees).
The Myth and Reality of AI in Varanasi
Rumors suggesting the Varanasi Glimpse was AI-generated overlook the sheer scale of human effort and technical precision embedded in every frame. Rajamouli, known for his aversion to AI in favor of traditional VFX, has spent over a year refining the visuals. The Glimpse’s grandeur—ranging from ancient Varanasi to African jungles—demands a level of cultural and historical fidelity that AI cannot replicate. For instance, the teaser’s 2160p resolution (enhanced by OnePlus AI for clarity) showcases textures and lighting that require human oversight, as AI often produces “cartoonish” or inconsistent results in complex environments.
Historical and Symbolic Layers
- Varanasi in 512 CE
The Glimpse opens with a nod to the Gupta Empire era, referencing the Vishveshwara Temple of Lord Shiva, believed to have been constructed between 500–512 CE. Rajamouli’s depiction of the ancient city is a visual homage to India’s architectural heritage, with painstakingly recreated stone carvings and temple spires. - The Ross Ice Shelf Scene
A cryptic shot of figures scrambling atop an ice shelf (possibly Kumbha’s men) hints at a global narrative. The ship trapped in ice, though enigmatic, may symbolize a hidden artifact or conflict, a recurring Rajamouli trope (Baahubali’s underwater kingdom). - Mahesh Babu’s Rudhra and Prithviraj’s Kumbha
- Skydiving in Africa: Mahesh Babu’s character, Rudhra, paragliding into an African jungle against Mount Kilimanjaro’s snowy backdrop, merges myth with modernity.
- The Monkey Rescue: A tense moment where Rudhra saves a monkey (symbolizing Hanuman?) while Prithviraj’s Kumbha watches, suggests a rivalry or mentorship dynamic.
- Kali Ritual and Mandakini’s Fall: Kumbha’s ritual to Kali, with a woman (possibly Priyanka Chopra’s Mandakini) plummeting from a cliff, evokes themes of sacrifice and divine retribution.
- Epic Battles and Mythological References
- Rama vs. Kumbhakarna: A fleeting shot of Lord Rama atop a Vanara (monkey) army battling Kumbhakarna (Kumbha’s namesake?) ties the narrative to the Ramayana, a cornerstone of Indian mythology.
- Trisulam and the Ganga’s Dried Bed: Rudhra charging on Nandi (Shiva’s bull) across the Manikarnika Ghat’s desiccated riverbed, wielding the Trisulam (Shiva’s trident), hints at a climactic showdown between good and evil.
Why VFX, Not AI?
Rajamouli’s team spent over a year crafting the Glimpse, a timeline incompatible with AI’s current capabilities. VFX requires:
- Human Artistry: Hand-drawn concept art, 3D modeling, and motion capture for characters like Kumbha and Rudhra.
- Cultural Nuance: Accurate recreation of Gupta-era architecture, tribal African attire, and Hindu rituals demands human expertise.
- Technical Precision: The Glimpse’s lighting (e.g., the sunbeam hitting the Ganga) and physics (e.g., water evaporation) adhere to real-world rules, a challenge for AI.
The Future of Indian Cinema
Varanasi is poised to redefine Indian cinema’s global standing. By blending myth, history, and cutting-edge VFX, Rajamouli creates a cinematic language that transcends borders. The Glimpse’s success lies not in AI shortcuts but in the dedication of artists, historians, and technicians who brought its vision to life.
As the world awaits full films, one truth is clear: Varanasi is a testament to human creativity, not a product of algorithms. Rajamouli’s legacy continues to inspire, proving that the soul of cinema lies in the hands of those who dare to dream—and execute—on an epic scale.
