Priyanka Chopra is confident Varanasi ‘is going to be really career-defining' for her, praises director SS Rajamouli

Priyanka Chopra said that SS Rajamouli is one of the best filmmakers in India. The actor added that she is excited about their film Varanasi.

Actor Priyanka Chopra has heaped praises on SS Rajamouli, who is helming Varanasi, a film which marks her Telugu debut. Speaking with AP, the actor said that she thinks Varanasi will be "really career-defining" for her. In the movie, Priyanka essays the role of Mandakini.

Priyanka has her hopes pinned on Varanasi

Priyanka Chopra will be seen as Mandakini in Varanasi.

The actor said, “The filmmaker’s name is SS Rajamouli, sir, and he is one of the best that we have in India. His movie is going to be really career-defining for me, I think. I am very excited about it." Priyanka is making her comeback to Indian films after 2019 with Varanasi.

What Priyanka recently said about Varanasi

Recently speaking with Variety, Priyanka had said that the film is "unlike anything" she has ever done. “This is unlike anything I’ve ever done. We travel from like Antarctica to … And just the worlds that he creates are so larger than life, and nobody has the vision that he does. So even I’m excited to see more," she had said.

Priyanka revealed what she told the director before signing the film. “I was like, ‘Listen, I’m coming back to Indian movies. I have to do a dance song. Like you have to make me dance.’ I know I’m gonna be doing it, but we haven’t shot it yet. OK, that’s one of the last things, which I’m really looking forward to. But we already did one where the choreography was crazy. It’s so intricate," she had added.

All about Varanasi

The film's official title was announced in November 2025 during a grand event in Hyderabad, which drew about 50,000 fans. Rajamouli had also unveiled a short teaser that featured stunning visuals and gave a glimpse into a story that spans different places and periods -- Antarctica, Varanasi, Kenya, 512 CE, 2027 CE, and even the Threthayuga. Towards the end, the teaser showed a striking shot of Mahesh, riding a bull and holding a trident as he charges through Varanasi, clad in a blood-soaked shirt and a Nandi pendant.

About Priyanka's other projects

Fans will see Priyanka in the second season of the web series Citadel in the pipeline. She will next be seen in The Bluff, alongside Karl Urban. Priyanka was last seen in the action thriller Heads of State alongside Idris Elba and John Cena.