Nairobi, September 3, 2025 – The savannas of Kenya’s Masai Mara, the rugged terrains of Samburu, and the majestic vistas of Amboseli with Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop have become the latest canvas for Indian cinema’s visionary, S.S. Rajamouli. The acclaimed director, known for global blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR, recently wrapped a crucial filming schedule for his ambitious project SSMB29 in these breathtaking East African landscapes. Starring Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and marking Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s grand return to Indian cinema, this globe-trotting adventure thriller is poised to redefine the scale of Indian filmmaking, with a budget of nearly ₹1,000 crore and a planned release across 120 countries by March 2027, targeting over a billion viewers worldwide.
SSMB29, tentatively titled to signify Mahesh Babu’s 29th film, is a cinematic juggernaut that blends archaeology, mythology, and high-octane adventure, drawing inspiration from the likes of Indiana Jones and Ramayana-esque themes. The story, penned by Rajamouli’s father, Vijayendra Prasad, reportedly follows Mahesh Babu’s character—a rugged explorer with traits reminiscent of Lord Hanuman—on a quest for a rare herbal remedy in the dense African wilderness. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, making her comeback to Indian cinema after a six-year hiatus since The Sky Is Pink (2019), joins as the female lead, with Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran playing a formidable antagonist. The film’s narrative is deeply rooted in the spiritual essence of Kashi (Varanasi), recreated through a massive ₹50 crore set at Hyderabad’s Ramoji Film City due to logistical challenges of shooting in the holy city.
The Kenya shoot, which kicked off in the third week of September 2025 after months of delays, was a testament to Rajamouli’s relentless pursuit of cinematic excellence. Initially planned for July, the schedule was postponed due to civil unrest in Kenya, prompting the team to explore alternatives in Tanzania’s Serengeti and South Africa. However, Rajamouli’s vision for “untamed and ancient” landscapes led the 120-member crew back to Kenya, where nearly 95% of the film’s African scenes were shot. Locations like Masai Mara’s iconic plains, Lake Naivasha’s tranquil shores, and Amboseli’s dramatic vistas provided a stunning backdrop for adrenaline-pumping action sequences, including a pivotal introduction scene for Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas that promises to be a game-changer in the story.
Priyanka Chopra, who arrived in Nairobi in August, shared glimpses of her safari adventures on Instagram, capturing hyenas, buffaloes, and ostriches in the wild, captioned simply, “Lately.” Her posts, coupled with Rajamouli’s own Instagram update from Amboseli featuring zebras, fueled fan excitement, showcasing Kenya’s natural splendor as an integral character in the film. The production’s scale has not only elevated Indian cinema’s global ambitions but also injected an estimated Ksh20 billion ($135 million) into Kenya’s economy, earning praise from Kenyan officials like Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who highlighted the shoot as a landmark moment for showcasing the country’s cultural and natural heritage to a global audience.
The journey to Kenya was not without challenges. Earlier plans to film in March were derailed by extreme heat, and July’s schedule was canceled due to anti-government protests. Rajamouli’s meticulous location scouting in 2024, accompanied by his son SS Karthikeya, ensured the chosen sites aligned with the film’s epic vision. The team’s perseverance paid off, with producer KL Narayana confirming that the East African leg, including shoots in Nairobi and Tanzania, captured breathtaking action blocks that push the boundaries of Indian cinema. With Hollywood VFX studios on board and Oscar-winning composer MM Keeravani crafting the soundtrack, SSMB29 is set to deliver a visual and auditory spectacle.
The film’s global aspirations are underscored by a record-breaking OTT deal with Netflix, marking one of the largest non-theatrical agreements in Indian cinema history. Rajamouli has teased a “never-before-seen” presentation in November 2025 to unveil the film’s immersive universe, hinting at a two-minute video featuring actual footage. While earlier reports suggested SSMB29 would be a two-part saga, Rajamouli recently clarified it will be a single film, dismissing trends of splitting narratives for commercial gain. The targeted release date of March 25, 2027, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of RRR, positions SSMB29 as a cultural milestone, aiming to captivate over a billion viewers across continents.
For the Indian diaspora and global fans, SSMB29 represents more than a film—it’s a bold statement of India’s cinematic prowess. From Hyderabad’s meticulously crafted Varanasi sets to Kenya’s untamed wilderness, Rajamouli is weaving a tapestry of mythology and adventure that promises to resonate far beyond India’s borders. As Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran bring this epic to life, SSMB29 is not just conquering Kenya’s landscapes but also the imagination of audiences worldwide, cementing Indian cinema’s place on the global stage.
