SS Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Head to Kenya for SSMB29’s Grand Jungle Shoot

India’s most ambitious film steps into Africa, as Rajamouli begins a high-stakes 40-day schedule in Kenya with Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Sneha Kashyap June 13, 2025Last Updated: June 13, 2025

97,463 4 minutes read

SS Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra

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Reviewed & Published by HH Entertaintment Desk

Hyderabad, June 13: SS Rajamouli, the man behind some of Indian cinema’s most audacious spectacles, is now steering his latest venture into unfamiliar terrain—literally. The director, known for Baahubali and RRR, is taking his upcoming film, SSMB29, to the rugged savannahs of Kenya, where the crew is set to begin shooting its next phase this July.

Kenya Becomes The Backdrop For India’s Most Ambitious Shoot

Come mid-July, the crew will land in East Africa for a six-week-long schedule that covers portions of Amboseli National Park and nearby regions. The choice of location is no accident. Rajamouli is someone who builds his films from the ground up, with every environment handpicked. According to OTTplay, this leg of the shoot will be intense—featuring expansive jungle chases and set pieces involving real wildlife.

The production team had earlier postponed this African schedule due to harsh seasonal conditions. With weather patterns now more favourable, they are moving ahead full steam. It’s a significant step not just for the project, but for Indian filmmaking as a whole. Very few local productions have dared to stage such elaborate sequences outside familiar territory, let alone in East Africa.

Cast That Crosses Borders And Screens

At the centre of the story is Mahesh Babu, one of Telugu cinema’s most bankable names. But the project has been generating headlines for more than just its lead. Priyanka Chopra Jonas, returning to an Indian feature after a stretch of global engagements, is confirmed to play a major part. Her involvement has added a layer of international visibility that goes far beyond standard casting strategy.

As per Times of India, R. Madhavan is also coming on board for the Kenya segment. Prithviraj Sukumaran, already known to be part of the ensemble, is expected to join later. The cast composition hints at the film’s pan-Indian scope and Rajamouli’s larger ambition: to tell a story that travels far—across languages, across continents.

Story Draws From Ancient Epics, Travels Across Continents

The plot hasn’t been formally disclosed, but reports—including a piece by Filmfare—suggest that the film borrows its spine from the Ramayana, specifically the Sanjeevani legend. Mahesh Babu’s character is said to be modelled on an explorer of sorts, tracing a path that’s equal parts mythological and modern. The comparison to Indiana Jones has been made, though those close to the project insist the similarities are only structural.

Either way, the fusion of myth, mysticism and geography points to a story that’s far more layered than a typical adventure. And that’s what Rajamouli is banking on—something deeply Indian at heart, but wide in its cinematic reach.

Odisha, Andhra Pradesh Provided The Launchpad

Before Africa, the crew spent time shooting in Koraput, Deomali, and the Borra Caves, all located in eastern and southern India. These early schedules were crucial in grounding the film’s tone and scale. Unlike urban set pieces or VFX-heavy sequences, these scenes relied heavily on real landscapes. According to background notes compiled by Wikipedia and Moneycontrol, the cave and mountain shots required meticulous planning due to lighting constraints and the physical toll on the crew.

The Kenyan schedule, while visually different, is an extension of that same principle—putting the actor in a real environment and letting the geography shape the drama.

Production Scale Unlike Any Other

Insiders peg the film’s budget at a staggering ₹900–1,000 crore, although official confirmation has not come. With K. L. Narayana producing under Sri Durga Arts, and M. M. Keeravani composing the score, the names attached to the project reflect both familiarity and trust. P. S. Vinod is handling cinematography, while key VFX teams are being brought in from abroad, some of whom previously worked on RRR.

There’s no gimmick here. It’s scale built on substance. Not just money for the sake of spectacle, but for creating a cinematic world that feels tactile and lived-in—even when set in myth.

Locked-Down Sets, Zero Room For Leaks

Given the secrecy around the story, the film is operating under strict security. Phones are banned. NDAs are standard. And unlike most sets where leaks are an open secret, Rajamouli’s camp has managed to run a nearly airtight operation.

Still, fans keep digging. A recent paparazzi snap of Priyanka Chopra at the Hyderabad airport set off fresh speculation about the next leg of the shoot. But no one’s talking—not officially, at least.

Timeline And The Road Ahead

While the release window hasn’t been pinned down, 2027 is widely expected. There were murmurs about splitting the film into two parts, but those have since died down. Current timelines suggest a single release, with an unusually long runtime—close to three and a half hours, if early reports are to be believed.

After the Kenya schedule, the film will return to Hyderabad for patchwork shoots, dubbing, and what will likely be a massive post-production phase. Visual effects, sound design, subtitling for global distribution—it’s all lined up for the final act.

A Turning Point In Indian Filmmaking?

This isn’t just about a film going to Africa. It’s about what Indian cinema is choosing to become. With SSMB29, Rajamouli is attempting to redefine what stories from this country can look and feel like on the world stage. It’s not about imitation—it’s about evolution. And that, perhaps, is where the true excitement lies.

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Author Profile

Sneha Kashyap

Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald

Sneha Kashyap is a Reporting Fellow at Hindustan Herald, specializing in the vibrant world of entertainment and contemporary lifestyle trends. A student at GGSIPU, Delhi, Sneha brings a fresh perspective and a keen eye for cultural narratives to her daily reporting. She is dedicated to exploring the latest in film, music, fashion, and social phenomena, offering readers insightful and engaging content.