Mahesh Babu Clean-Shaven Look Signals Varanasi Nears End

The Telugu star was seen at an airport sporting a smooth‑shaven look, hinting that SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi is almost wrapped and a trailer is slated for early 2027.

Mahesh Babu stepped onto a Delhi terminal Friday looking markedly different. The actor’s face was smooth, his hair trimmed short and his outfit simple – a white tee, light jacket, beige Moncler cap and dark shades. Fans instantly linked the change to the final leg of SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi, noting that the superstar’s signature stubble had been a constant for the past 21 months.

The airport sighting isn’t just a style statement. Sources close to the set say the shoot is now about 90% done, with only a sliver of the schedule left to film. That means the massive production, which has been chugging along for months, is gearing up for a quick wrap‑up before the promotional sprint.

Trailer, release and a possible Hollywood spin

Producer S.S. Karthikeya recently quashed rumors that Varanasi would skip a theatrical trailer. He told Telugu360 that a trailer is on the calendar for March 2027, a few weeks ahead of the slated April 7 theatrical debut. The timing suggests a full‑fledged marketing push, likely featuring the film’s star‑studded cast – Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran alongside Mahesh.

Karthikeya also hinted at an ambitious plan: a Hollywood version of the epic. Rajamouli is reportedly exploring how the story could be re‑imagined for an international audience, a move that could broaden the film’s reach beyond the usual South Indian stronghold.

Mahesh’s return to his early‑career clean‑shaven charm has sparked a wave of nostalgia on social media. Fans recall his boy‑next‑door appeal in films like Raja Kumarudu and Murari, when the smooth face was part of his trademark. The recent look, however, may simply be a practical decision now that the majority of his scenes are in the can.

The shift also points to how actors often adapt their appearance to suit a film’s narrative arc. In Guntur Kaaram, Mahesh grew a beard to convey a rougher edge. For Varanasi, the director apparently wanted a fresher, perhaps more vulnerable look for the character Veera Raghava Reddy.

With the shoot almost wrapped, the production house is likely to focus on post‑production polish, visual effects and the much‑anticipated music launch. The buzz around a possible Hollywood cut could also influence the final edit, as the team might aim for a version that resonates with global audiences.

For now, the clean‑shaven Mahesh Babu has given fans a visual cue: the epic is on the brink of moving from set to screen. The next big milestone will be the March trailer, which should give a clearer picture of the film’s tone and the scale of Rajamouli’s vision.

Stay tuned for the trailer drop, and keep an eye on any updates about the Hollywood adaptation – a development that could reshape the way South Indian blockbusters are marketed abroad.