What is Varanasi's plot or premise? Fan theories try to answer

Ever since the title teaser of Varanasi was released on Saturday evening, fan theories have floated about the plot of the prestigious movie. In this section, we present three of them: Theory 1 : Prithviraj Sukumaran's Kumbha, a disabled tycoon with mysterious powers, holds Mahesh Babu 's Rudhra's family hostage to force him on a quest for a mythical African jungle medicine that cures disabilities and grants immortality. Rudhra, with Hanuman-like supernatural strength, uncovers Kumbha's plan to weaponize it for world conquest. Priyanka's Mandakini is a scientist ally decoding the medicine's Ramayana roots. Twists involve time portals in Ugrabhatti caves linking to Lanka. Theory 2 : The story starts in 512 CE Varanasi with yagnas and battles; jumps to 2071 where asteroid Shambhavi crashes in Antarctica, melting ice and unleashing chaos (e.g., hippos as demons). Flashback to 7200 BCE Treta Yuga: Hanuman burns Lanka, Rama leads vanara sena. Rudhra awakens in modern Varanasi to stop the asteroid (a metaphorical demon), using trishul to bridge eras. Priyanka aids via cave rituals; Prithviraj manipulates the crash for power. Theory 3 : Rudhra, a modern guardian of Varanasi's sacred rivers (Varuna and Assi), discovers Shiva's ancient sword (Assi) hidden in the ghats. It was used by Rudra (Shiva) to slay demons Shumbha and Nishumbha. In the present, an asteroid threat (symbolizing demonic invasion) looms; Rudhra wields the sword to battle villains across timelines, invoking Hanuman's Lanka-burning rage. Priyanka is a priestess holding the sword's activation ritual; Prithviraj is a power-hungry demon descendant. Also Read : Akhanda 2 is Up for Release in 3D as Well Nagarjuna s Shiva logs Rs 3.95 Cr worldwide in 2 days