Amid Deepika Padukone's shift demand, 'Varanasi' director SS Rajamouli says 'Mahesh Babu works for eight hours and...'

S S Rajamouli on Saturday unveiled the title of his next mega project “Varanasi” at a grand fan event held at Ramoji Film City here in the presence of its stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Prithviraj Sukumaran.

At the launch, the maverick filmmaker spoke about his leading man and revealed, “There is something about Mahesh Babu’s character. Something we can all learn from him. Let me tell you, when Mahesh Babu comes to office or shooting, he will not touch his cell phone. He will work for eight hours and only when he goes back he looks at his cell phone.”

This quality was something everybody could benefit from, the director said.

Rajamouli said this at the title launch event of his upcoming film ‘Varanasi’, featuring Mahesh Babu in the lead. On Saturday, the makers of the eagerly awaited magnum opus announced the title of the film as ‘Varanasi’ and also disclosed that Mahesh Babu plays a character called Rudhra in the film.

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The makers also delighted fans and film buffs by releasing a mind blowing title teaser of the film on the occasion. The clip, which showed that the story shifts not only time periods but also regions, has a devotional angle to it.

The movie marks the acclaimed director’s first collaboration with Telugu superstar Babu.  Priyanka also returns to Indian cinema after 2021’s “The Sky Is Pink”.

Babu said it was a dream project and the whole country will be proud of the movie where he plays the protagonist Rudra.

Sukumaran, who plays the antagonist Kumbha in the movie, said it was the most emotionally and physically demanding role of his career. The actor said he was stunned by Rajamouli’s narration.

Deepika Padukone finally breaks silence on 8-hour shift demand after Kalki 2, Spirit exit: ‘We mistake burnout for…’

Deepika Padukone has finally reacted to her 8-hour demand shift post embracing motherhood, which made her exit from biggies like Kalki 2 and Spirit (both featuring Prabhas in lead roles). Defending her demand, Deepika said that people have normalised overworking and urged everyone not to confuse “burnout for commitment".

“One hundred per cent. Every cliché is true. When mothers say, ‘You’ll understand when you become one,’ it’s true. I have so much more respect for my mother now. You can plan how you think you’ll navigate work and motherhood, but the reality is very different. I feel strongly about how new mothers need to be supported when they return to work. That’s something I want to focus on,"  Deepika told Harper’s Bazaar.