Priyanka Chopra-Mahesh Babu’s Varanasi Launch Sees Empty Seats At Comic Con; Viral Videos Claim

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Key points generated by AI, verified by newsroom

• Varanasi film’s Mexico Comic-Con premiere shows empty seats.
• Producer shared exclusive footage, sparking fan outrage online.
• Mixed reactions question film’s global promotion strategy.
• Epic sci-fi adventure stars Mahesh Babu, set for 2027.

Imagine the buzz around a global premiere for a massive Indian film by the RRR director. Excitement builds for exclusive footage and star power at Mexico’s Comic-Con. But empty seats steal the spotlight, sparking online outrage. Is this a flop signal or just bad timing? Fans are divided, calling it everything from “embarrassing” to unfair judgment.

Empty Seats Shock Fans

SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film Varanasi kicked off global promotions at CCXP Mexico, a huge pop culture event. Producer SS Karthikeya took the stage on Friday, sharing never-before-seen footage from the movie. But photos and videos showed mostly empty seats in front, with some people walking around or leaving as content played.

This is really Embarrassing, SSR Represented India on a Global Scale and Audience at Mexico Comic con are not giving deserved importance to Varanasi.

The Empty seats conveys everything….. https://t.co/gV0BMFBfb5

— KBP Reviews🏹 (@KshitizCritic) April 25, 2026

One Indian fan shared a still on X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “This is really Embarrassing, SSR Represented India on a Global Scale and Audience at Mexico Comic con are not giving deserved importance to Varanasi. The Empty seats conveys everything.” A cine account added, “#Varanasi & #Ramayana seem heavily tilted toward Western markets, while the real powerhouse -Indian audience is being taken for granted. Meanwhile, latest visuals show people walking out during Varanasi BTS at Mexico Comic Con. Signals aren’t great.”

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 Mixed Reactions Online

Many called the low turnout “surprising,” especially after Rajamouli’s RRR became a massive hit in the West. Others noted it felt off for such a hyped project. However, fans pushed back, saying the images told only half the story.

Some shared photos of Karthikeya posing with Liam Crowley post-panel, with crowds seated or standing behind. One user replied to a “walkout” video claim, stating it showed “people trying to find their seats.” Defenders also pointed out empty seats at other panels too, not just Varanasi.

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 Film’s Big Promise

Directed by SS Rajamouli and written by Vijayendra Prasad, Varanasi mixes Indian mythology, history, and sci-fi in a time-travel adventure. It stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles. The pan-India epic hits theaters in April 2027.

This Comic-Con moment highlights the challenges of global promo for Indian films. While visuals sparked debate, the movie’s ambition keeps hype alive. Will Varanasi match RRR’s roar? Time will tell.