The recent unveiling of Mahesh Babu's character, Rudhra, in SS Rajamouli's upcoming film, Varanasi, at the GlobeTrotter event in Hyderabad on November 15, 2025, has sparked considerable buzz. The actor made a grand entrance, riding a massive mechanical bull, which served as a visual reference to his character's introductory poster. This impressive CGI spectacle, however, has drawn comparisons to a daring stunt performed by another actor decades ago.
While Mahesh Babu's Varanasi features a computer-generated bull, veteran actor Kamal Haasan famously rode a real bull in his unreleased film, Marudhanayagam. Clips of Haasan as the 18th-century Tamil historical figure Marudhanayagam riding a bull with apparent ease and fearlessness have resurfaced and are circulating widely on social media. These scenes showcase Haasan performing the dangerous stunt himself, without relying on digital enhancements or body doubles.
Social media users have lauded Kamal Haasan's dedication to performing real stunts, with some suggesting that his commitment to authenticity surpasses the visual impact of the CGI bull in Varanasi. Many praise Haasan for embracing real-time training and hard work over technological solutions. According to reports, Haasan trained intensively with three different bulls for 60 days to perfect the bull-riding sequence in Marudhanayagam. This level of commitment has resonated with movie enthusiasts across generations.
The Varanasi event, held at Ramoji Film City, was a large-scale celebration, drawing over 50,000 fans. A behind-the-scenes video revealed the extensive preparation involved in creating Mahesh Babu's bull entrance. The video showcases the construction of the mechanical bull by the art team and the coordination of lighting, set design, and sound. Namrata Shirodkar, Mahesh Babu's wife, was seen praying as the actor rode the mechanical bull onto the stage.
Varanasi is Rajamouli's next project after the 2022 blockbuster RRR. The film, slated for release in 2027, is described as a time-travel and globetrotting adventure. Alongside Mahesh Babu, the film stars Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran. Priyanka Chopra will be playing Mandakini, while Prithviraj Sukumaran will be portraying the antagonist, Kumbha.
Marudhanayagam, despite remaining unreleased, continues to impress audiences with its authenticity and scale. The film's bull-riding sequence serves as a testament to Kamal Haasan's dedication and willingness to undertake challenging stunts. The comparison between Haasan's real bull stunt and Mahesh Babu's CGI bull highlights the evolving landscape of filmmaking and the diverse approaches to creating memorable cinematic moments.
