R Madhavan Joins Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra in SS Rajamouli’s ₹1,000 Crore Epic SSMB29
With a ₹1,000 crore budget and a cast led by Mahesh Babu, Rajamouli’s next film brings R Madhavan into an all-star mythological saga.
Hyderabad, June 8: The casting for SS Rajamouli’s upcoming mega-project, tentatively titled SSMB29, is taking a dramatic turn—with multiple sources now confirming that seasoned actor R Madhavan has been brought on board. This comes as the team continues to build what’s shaping up to be one of the most ambitious films ever made in Indian cinema, with a reported budget brushing up against the ₹1,000 crore mark.
Rajamouli Ropes In Another Heavyweight
For fans of Madhavan, the news hits a sweet spot. After years of operating across industries—from Tamil to Hindi and even English—he’s now stepping into what may be his first full-scale Telugu blockbuster under none other than SS Rajamouli, the man behind Baahubali and RRR.
Reports from industry trackers including Moneycontrol and GreatAndhra suggest that Madhavan’s role is far from ornamental. He’s said to be playing a major character, one that’s deeply embedded in the central storyline. There’s talk that he might serve as a guide, a rival, or something more layered—though no official details have been disclosed just yet.
If confirmed, this will be Madhavan’s first collaboration with Rajamouli, despite years of buzz in fan circles about a potential crossover.
Mahesh Babu Anchors The Story
The film is being headlined by Mahesh Babu, whose presence alone guarantees massive anticipation across the Telugu-speaking world. But Rajamouli is clearly gunning for more. Sources say the filmmaker wants to position Mahesh Babu as a pan-India—and possibly international—star through this project.
Interestingly, Rajamouli seems to be weaving in global storytelling cues, perhaps inspired by writers like Wilbur Smith, along with threads of Indian mythology. One recurring reference is Lord Hanuman, although it’s still unclear whether that influence is literal, thematic, or symbolic.
A Star-Studded Ensemble
The growing cast list suggests this isn’t just a Mahesh Babu vehicle—it’s a proper ensemble. Priyanka Chopra, who’s been mostly active in Hollywood lately, is believed to be part of the core team, marking what could be a return to Indian commercial cinema after a long pause.
Also reportedly on board is Prithviraj Sukumaran, who continues to juggle roles across Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi films. The details around his part are being kept under wraps, but the casting of such diverse talents indicates Rajamouli is not building an average action flick—he’s crafting something with layers and cultural reach.
A Production On A Monumental Scale
If the ₹1,000 crore budget figure holds true, SSMB29 could become India’s most expensive film ever made. That would put it ahead of 2.0, Adipurush, and even Baahubali 2.
There’s strong buzz that the production is backed by a powerful collaboration between Indian studios and foreign production houses, though nothing official has been released. As per Cinejosh and NewsBytes, Rajamouli is leaving no stone unturned—from pre-visualization to location scouting and international set builds.
Shooting reportedly began in January 2025, and locations include Hyderabad, Odisha, and several global landscapes that match the narrative’s ambitious scope.
Madhavan’s Move Comes At A Crucial Time
R Madhavan’s career has seen an interesting arc over the last decade. After the critical success of Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, which he also directed, he’s taken a selective approach to acting roles.
His entry into SSMB29, as reported by TeluguCinema, is significant—not just for the film, but for his own trajectory. It’s a return to mainstream pan-Indian cinema, in a role that might challenge his dramatic chops and widen his already strong fan base.
Rajamouli, known for casting with precision, is believed to have handpicked Madhavan for a character that carries emotional weight and narrative drive. That kind of trust from a director like Rajamouli doesn’t come lightly.
What Lies Ahead
Despite the media chatter, an official announcement about Madhavan’s casting is still pending. Industry watchers are expecting a grand reveal—possibly with a first look, teaser, or a formal press note from the production house in the coming weeks.
If this ensemble comes together as predicted, SSMB29 might not just be another blockbuster—it could become a cultural milestone, the kind Indian cinema hasn’t seen since the days of Mughal-e-Azam or, more recently, Baahubali.
For now, the pieces are falling into place. With a cast this formidable, a visionary at the helm, and a budget that pushes every boundary, Rajamouli’s next is shaping up to be more than a movie—it’s turning into a cinematic event.
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Saumya Srivastava is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, focusing daily on captivating stories from the entertainment industry and evolving lifestyle segments. Currently pursuing her studies at BHU, Varanasi, Saumya combines her academic background with a passion for understanding and showcasing the diverse facets of modern living. Her daily articles aim to inform and inspire readers on everything from popular culture to personal well-being.
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