‘Varanasi’ Set for Antarctica Shoot, Priyanka Chopra Confirms to Mahesh Babu
Priyanka Chopra confirms South Pole schedule as Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj join epic adventure
Mumbai, Feb 02 : After traversing African landscapes, filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli is steering his ambitious project Varanasi towards one of the world’s most extreme frontiers Antarctica. The upcoming schedule will see actors Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran filming in sub-zero conditions, marking a rare milestone for Indian cinema.
Confirmation from Priyanka Chopra
Speculation about the Varanasi Antarctica shoot gained traction after a social media exchange between the lead actors. Praising Chopra’s performance in her Hollywood film The Bluff, Mahesh Babu shared an appreciative message online. Responding warmly, Chopra wrote, “Thank you my friend. See you soon in Antarctica,” effectively confirming the South Pole schedule.
Ross Ice Shelf to Feature in Narrative
Sources indicate that a key portion of the film will be shot at the Ross Ice Shelf. The storyline reportedly explores a time-travelling quest tied to an ancient civilisation believed to be buried beneath Antarctic ice following a catastrophic asteroid impact. The frozen terrain is expected to play a central role in the mythology meets science fiction narrative.
IMAX Vision for Antarctic Scale
Rajamouli earlier revealed that the decision to shoot using IMAX cameras was partly driven by the desire to capture Antarctica’s vast landscapes with cinematic depth. The team is expected to begin filming at the icy location in the coming weeks.
Rare Achievement in Global Cinema
With this schedule, Varanasi is set to become the first Indian production filmed in Antarctica. Only a handful of international projects have previously shot there, including The Thing, Eight Below, Encounters at the End of the World and Antarctica: A Year on Ice.
During a recent appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Chopra revealed that over a year of filming has already been completed, with several months of production still remaining. The film is currently slated for release in April 2027.
