Rana Daggubati, who gained fame for his role as Bhallaladeva in the Baahubali series, revealed in an exclusive interview that he was never meant to be part of SS Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi. Despite fans speculating about his potential role, he confirmed, “I do wish I was but I’m not.” Daggubati praised Rajamouli's vision and expressed pride in the anticipation surrounding the high-budget project starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas. Following a kidney transplant, he returned film advances, stating he no longer fit the 'hot hero' image that producers sought. Daggubati is now promoting his Tamil film Neelira, which is inspired by the Sri Lankan civil war and features an unknown cast. He explained that casting well-known stars could shift audience focus away from the film's narrative, emphasizing that the experience of watching Neelira is enriched by the audience's unfamiliarity with the characters. He noted that while some stars engage in independent films, the decision to cast unknown actors can enhance the storytelling experience.