A purported image of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu dressed as Lord Ram from SS Rajamouli’s upcoming magnum opus Varanasi has taken social media by storm. Although the authenticity of the viral photo has not been officially confirmed by the filmmakers, the image has ignited widespread discussion among fans, with many praising Mahesh Babu’s appearance and comparing it to Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal of Lord Ram in Nitesh Tiwari’s Ramayana.
The leaked image, reportedly captured during the film’s shoot in Varanasi, shows Mahesh Babu dressed in saffron-yellow attire believed to represent Lord Ram during his exile (Vanvaas). The actor appears to be filming a scene while members of the crew stand nearby. As the picture spread rapidly across various social media platforms, fans began debating whether the look was genuine or AI-generated.
The image gained further traction after being shared on Reddit, where it was reposted as a screenshot from a media report claiming that Mahesh Babu’s Lord Ram look had “taken the internet by storm.” While several users admired the actor’s regal appearance, others questioned whether the leak was part of a carefully planned promotional strategy.
Reddit users flooded the discussion with mixed reactions. One fan commented that Rajamouli could overshadow every other adaptation of the Ramayana in just a few minutes, while another suggested that such leaks are often intentional marketing tactics inspired by Hollywood. Some users dismissed the image as “PR,” whereas others expressed admiration for Mahesh Babu’s screen presence, saying he perfectly fits the role of Lord Ram.
Several fans also compared Mahesh Babu’s appearance with Ranbir Kapoor’s portrayal in Ramayana. While the debate over who looks more convincing as Lord Ram continues online, many praised Mahesh Babu’s calm and dignified look, with one user writing, “He looks like the character.” Another fan added, “This is my Ram. He looks great,” though some remained skeptical, claiming the image appeared AI-generated.
Interest in Varanasi has been steadily growing ever since SS Rajamouli revealed that Mahesh Babu’s transformation into Lord Ram left a lasting impression on him. Speaking at an event last year, the acclaimed filmmaker said that seeing Mahesh in the character’s costume during an early photoshoot gave him goosebumps. Rajamouli even admitted that he briefly set the actor’s Lord Ram image as his phone wallpaper before removing it to avoid revealing the look.
Varanasi is one of the most anticipated Indian films currently in production and marks Priyanka Chopra’s return to Indian cinema. The film also stars Prithviraj Sukumaran as the primary antagonist, with unconfirmed fan theories suggesting he could portray a version of Kumbhkaran. Directed by SS Rajamouli, the ambitious project is expected to hit theatres in 2027.
While fans eagerly await an official reveal from the makers, the viral image has already generated significant excitement, making Varanasi one of the most talked-about upcoming films on social media.