Jul 29, 2026 10:30am IST
‘Varanasi’: Priyanka Chopra’s Telugu Dubbing Update; Producer KL Narayana clarifies (EXCLUSIVE)
In a recent Instagram interaction with fans, Priyanka Chopra said that she would also be dubbing for the Telugu version of the sci-fi flick “Varanasi.” The film, which marks her return to Indian cinema after a six-year gap, features her as the fierce Mandakini. The character, conceived by filmmaker SS Rajamouli, signifies a balance of fire and grace - two words that also aptly fit her persona.
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The first official look of Mandakini was released on PeeCee’s birthday (July 18) this year. In “Varanasi,” she will be performing intense action scenes and dramatic slow-motion sequences. As Mandakani, her character finds herself caught between the protagonist Rudra, played by Mahesh Babu, and the antagonist Kumbha, played by Prithviraj Sukumaran.
During a recent chat with her fans on IG, Chopra replied to a fan, confessing that she was dubbing her role in the film. “Yes. I am practicing hard,” she said. In a previous chat on Twitter, she had stated, “It’s obviously not my first language, but Rajamouli Sir has been so helpful. I will be able to deliver my Telugu lines and live up to your expectations.”
However, when Variety India reached out to the producer of the film, KL Narayana, and asked him if PeeCee would be dubbing for the Telugu version of the film, he said, “No decision has been taken yet. While shooting the Telugu version, she speaks in a mix of English, Hindi and Telugu. But it is too soon to discuss this subject. We also plan to release the film in other languages. We will only take a call on her dubbing closer to the release date.”
“Varanasi” is a time-travel adventure drama set in the city of Varanasi, which faces the impending arrival of an asteroid and its catastrophic impact on the city. The film, which Durga Arts has produced on an estimated budget of 1,300 crores, according to Sacnilk, is gearing up for release on April 7, 2027.
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