A supposed leaked image from the sets of Mahesh Babu’s upcoming mega project “Varanasi” has taken social media by storm, showing what appears to be the actor in the avatar of Lord Shri Ram. The film is being directed by blockbuster filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli and is reportedly mounted on a massive budget of around ₹1200 crore, making it one of the most anticipated Indian films.

The viral photo shows Mahesh Babu in a village-like set, holding a bow, with crew members and lighting equipment visible in the background. The setting has led fans to believe it could be from a mythological sequence in the film. However, the image has also triggered doubts, with many users claiming it may have been generated using AI rather than being an actual on-set still.

Ramayana sequence adds to speculation

Reports suggest that Varanasi includes a special 25–30 minute Ramayana-inspired segment, which is said to have taken nearly 60 days to shoot. This portion is expected to feature a major battle sequence involving Lord Ram and Kumbhakarna, further fueling curiosity around Mahesh Babu’s look in the film.

Because of this, the leaked image quickly went viral, with fans divided—some praising the look, while others pointed out inconsistencies such as facial detailing and styling that don’t fully match traditional depictions of Lord Ram.

Fans suspect AI-generated image

A large section of social media users believe the image is not real, citing possible AI manipulation. Comments range from admiration for the concept to skepticism, with many saying director Rajamouli would not allow such a major look to leak so easily during production.

Production still under wraps

The film is currently in production and is reportedly progressing at a fast pace, with shooting expected to wrap by September–October. The team has been extremely strict about preventing leaks, making this viral image even more controversial.

Meanwhile, Mahesh Babu is said to be on a short break with family while post-production and planning for remaining sequences continue.

Verdict: Real or fake?

At this point, there is no official confirmation regarding the viral photo. Whether it is an actual set leak or an AI-generated fan creation remains unclear—but it has certainly intensified curiosity around one of the biggest upcoming films in Indian cinema.