SSMB29 Movie: The project titled SSMB29 under the direction of S.S. Rajamouli promises to become a historical milestone for Indian cinema. Telugu action-adventure film SSMB29 will become the first post between director S.S.Rajamouli and Telugu cinema superstar Mahesh Babu after they announced their partnership in April 2020. The upcoming production carries a film budget of ₹1,000 crore that will make it the most expensive Indian production to date while promising to unite Indian mythological elements with an international action storey.
The Genesis of SSMB29
Development for SSMB29 started in 2012 until delays occurred because Rajamouli needed to fulfil his commitments with Baahubali and RRR since 2012. SSMB29 officially began production as Mahesh Babu’s 29th lead role film project after the worldwide success of RRR under its working title of SSMB29. Rajamouli worked together with his father V. Vijayendra Prasad to write the screenplay that aims to redefine boundaries. The upcoming movie presents a “globetrotting jungle adventure” that borrows traditional Indiana Jones elements with rumours suggesting Indian mythological attributes including Lord Hanuman.
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Under the leadership of producer K.L. Narayana at Durga Arts the film operates through a profit-sharing agreement which directs the entire budget toward enhancing production quality. Another blockbuster by director Rajamouli features M.M.Keeravani composing the score as P.S.Vinod serves as both director of cinematography and Tammiraju taking charge of the film’s editing.
The Stellar Cast
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Mahesh Babu: The Telugu superstar leads the film, reportedly playing an explorer with traits inspired by Lord Hanuman. Known for his charismatic screen presence and versatility, Mahesh Babu has undergone physical training and a look transformation for this role, which is said to be physically demanding and action-packed. His involvement has heightened anticipation, especially after his recent film Guntur Kaaram (2024).
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Priyanka Chopra Jonas: Marking her return to Indian cinema after The Sky Is Pink (2019), Priyanka Chopra Jonas joins as the female lead. Her casting, finalized after six months of discussions with Rajamouli, adds international appeal. Rumors suggest her character involves significant action sequences, aligning with the film’s high-octane narrative. Priyanka’s subtle hints on social media, including a January 2025 Instagram post with RRR’s “Roar” track, have fueled speculation about her role.
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Prithviraj Sukumaran: The Malayalam actor, known for Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023), plays a pivotal role, likely the antagonist. This marks his third Telugu film and his first collaboration with Rajamouli, adding depth to the ensemble.
Rajamouli has also hinted at including American actors, leveraging his post-RRR association with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) to broaden the film’s global reach.
Production and Filming Updates
Principal photography began on February 2, 2025, in Hyderabad, following a ceremonial puja on January 2, 2025, at the Aluminium Factory. The launch event was attended by Mahesh Babu, Rajamouli, his wife Rama, and key crew members, though no official images were released to keep Mahesh’s look under wraps. To prevent leaks, Rajamouli enforced strict non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and banned mobile phones on set.
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Hyderabad: The initial schedule focused on constructing massive sets, including a recreation of Kashi (Varanasi), a central element in the story. Logistical challenges of filming in the real location prompted this decision, showcasing Rajamouli’s signature approach to blending real and constructed environments.
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Odisha: By early March 2025, the crew shifted to Odisha, shooting in scenic locales like the Deomali and Talamali Hills in Koraput district, as well as forests near Simlipal and Duduma Waterfalls. A leaked video of an action sequence featuring Mahesh Babu and Prithviraj surfaced on March 9, prompting tighter security measures.
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Future Schedules: Plans include filming in Kenya, with Rajamouli scouting locations in 2024, emphasizing the film’s “jungle adventure” theme. Additional shoots are expected in Andhra Pradesh’s Borra Caves and other international sites, though details remain undisclosed.
The production company has reserved Semiliguda in Odisha for its cast and crew of 500 employees until March 28 2025. VFX holds a prominent position in the production timeline as revealed in early planning stages which showcases the technological goal of the film.
Plot and Themes
Decked by secrecy SSMB29 follows a script that tells a storey based on Indian historical and mythological elements. According to sources the main storyline reveals its setting in Kashi as it combines religious and historical elements with survival elements of an adventure narrative. In the role of Mahesh Babu’s character the filmmakers will explore spiritual and physical dynamics so the actor must replicate Hanuman’s abilities through depiction of strength and agility while dedicated to searching jungle, river and cave paths. The presence of Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran indicates that the film will present an elaborate storey that could involve both espionage and treasure searching as seen in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
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While Rajamouli has suggested potential franchise development, some believe that two parts will be released in 2027 and 2029 yet others think there will be one film or possibly a trilogy by 2028. Guinness World Records shows that Rajamouli obtained the movie rights to Wilbur Smith’s books Triumph of the Sun and King of Kings which indicate an upcoming Indian-themed African jungle fantasy.
Budget and Scale
The massive ₹1,000 crore budget of SSMB29 makes this project more ambitious than any previous works of Rajamouli. Rajamouli applies the funds toward advanced VFX work and international film locations as well as combining real environments with movie sets. Through his partnership with Hollywood studios Rajamouli will achieve massive international distribution for his upcoming film in order to maximise the success of RRR.
Release and Expectations
The production timeline spans to 2026 for filming while studios plan to release the movie during summer 2027 as their first instalment. The two-part sequencing for this project will unfold with the subsequent part appearing in 2029 after directors finalise dubbed versions for Tamil, Hindi and Malayalam as well as Kannada language versions. M.M. Keeravani’s work on the musical score has already begun with great anticipation for another outstanding audio production.
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SSMB29 holds the expectation for transforming Indian blockbusters into international box office giants. The project hype surrounding SSMB29 becomes evident through the guarded statement by Mahesh Babu and the enthusiastic “Finally” remark from Priyanka. Smooth operation after slight protocol breaches has increased the level of speculation about the project.
Current Status
The current production status of SSMB29 shows the film in the middle of its process while the film team works in Odisha. During early March Priyanka Chopra joined the production team after the wedding reception of her brother at Odisha airport while wearing a fashionable casual ensemble. The upcoming official title is believed to be Garuda or Maharaj while the teaser announcement might happen during a scheduled press event which has yet to be finalised.
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Final Thought About ssmb29
SSMB29 represents more than a film because it combines distinct Indian storytelling elements with international viewer capabilities. Rajamouli’s proven directorial skills unite with Mahesh Babu’s status as a star alongside Priyanka Chopra’s international representation to create a movie that will revolutionise the industry through its mythical and adventurous storyline. People across the globe are watching expectantly for what will become India’s upcoming blockbuster milestone.
