Inside Mahesh Babu’s intense physical prep for Rajamouli’s Varanasi

Mahesh Babu did not just step into SS Rajamouli’s Varanasi. He reshaped his body, movement and even the way he runs to convincingly embody Lord Ram on screen. The actor has revealed that the transformation went far beyond physical fitness, involving months of martial arts training and a complete rethink of how his character moves through space.

Speaking to Screen Rant Plus about his preparation, Mahesh Babu shared that Rajamouli was clear from day one that playing Lord Ram demanded precision. From posture to gait, every detail had to reflect strength, restraint, and divinity. To meet that brief, the actor committed to an intense training schedule that tested both discipline and patience.

A key part of the preparation involved Kalari, the ancient martial art form from Kerala. Mahesh Babu trained for nearly three months to develop the physical control and grounded stance required for the character. According to him, Rajamouli places enormous importance on how a character stands and walks, especially when portraying a figure as iconic as Lord Ram.