As of today, Monday, March 2, 2026, the praise from the Varanasi team has turned into a viral social media event.
The "Varanasi" Connection: Rajamouli & Mahesh Babu React
The most significant praise came from her upcoming collaborators, who are currently filming the epic adventure Varanasi with her.
Mahesh Babu’s Review: On Sunday, the Telugu superstar took to X to call her performance "swashbuckling." He wrote, "#TheBluff is a well mounted film with engaging action n emotions !!! @priyankachopra is in top form... ticking all the boxes with a packed performance."
#TheBluff is a a well mounted film with engaging action n emotions !!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 @priyankachopra is in top form 💥💥💥 swashbuckling and ticking all the boxes with a packed performance… Sending all my love to the team for the amazing work ♥️♥️♥️
— Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) March 1, 2026
SS Rajamouli’s Verdict: The visionary director also chimed in today, noting Priyanka’s rare ability to be "utterly vulnerable at one moment and ferociously strong the next." He praised the film’s "kick-ass stunts" and fast pace.
.@priyankachopra is one of the few actors who can be utterly vulnerable at one moment and ferociously strong the next. #TheBluff is another testament to her talent, with lots of kick-ass stunts as well.
— rajamouli ss (@ssrajamouli) March 2, 2026
Enjoyed the setting and the pace.
Congratulations to the team…
The "Antarctica" Tease: Responding to Mahesh Babu, Priyanka sparked a frenzy by replying, "Thank you my friend. See you soon in Antarctica." This confirms reports that the Varanasi crew is heading to the South Pole to film a massive sequence involving an ancient civilization buried under the ice.
Thank you my friend 🙏🏽 🏴☠️
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) March 1, 2026
See you soon in Antarctica. ⭐️ @urstrulyMahesh https://t.co/HpBfRPbMEg
About "The Bluff" (2026)
If you haven't watched it yet, here is what the buzz is about:
The Plot: Set in the 19th-century Caribbean, Priyanka plays Ercell "Bloody Mary" Bodden, a former pirate living a quiet life in the Cayman Islands. When her past—in the form of the ruthless Captain Connor (Karl Urban)—comes knocking, she must return to her violent roots to protect her family.
The Action: Critics are hailing this as Priyanka’s most physically demanding role since Quantico. The film is a "hard R-rated" grit-fest featuring machete fights, flintlocks, and "splatter-genre" levels of gore.
The Production: Directed by Frank E. Flowers and produced by the Russo Brothers, the film clocks in at a brisk 101 minutes.
Why This Matters for Priyanka’s Indian Return
Priyanka has been away from Indian cinema for nearly seven years. Her "Varanasi" role as Mandakini opposite Mahesh Babu’s Rudhra is being positioned as her career-defining homecoming.
The Scale: Varanasi is being shot in 1.43:1 IMAX format and is rumored to have a budget exceeding ₹1,000 crore. The
Adventure: Priyanka recently told Jimmy Fallon that they have already been filming for 14 months and have another six to go.
Release Date: Mark your calendars for April 7, 2027, coinciding with the festival of Ugadi.
Quick Watch Guide: The Bluff
Feature Details Streaming Platform Amazon Prime Video Release Date February 25, 2026 Starring Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Karl Urban, Ismael Cruz Córdova Key Highlights High-octane action, pirate-revenge plot, strong emotional core.
