The much-anticipated Telugu blockbuster SSMB29, directed by S. S. Rajamouli and starring Mahesh Babu alongside Priyanka Chopra Jonas, has hit an unexpected production roadblock.
Plans to kick off the international shoot in Kenya have been officially shelved due to escalating political unrest and widespread protests that raised significant safety concerns for the cast and crew.
Kenya’s Stunning Landscapes Now Off-Limits
Kenya had been selected for its dramatic and untamed beauty, with scouting completed across locations like Masai Mara, Tsavo, and Aberdare National Park.
The production team hoped to use these lush terrains to support the film’s epic jungle-based narrative.
But as civil unrest flared in mid-July 2025, producers opted to prioritize crew safety, pulling the plug on what was expected to be a high-profile international schedule.
Creative Shakeup: Rajamouli Rewrites While the Dust Settles
According to sources close to the project, the unrest wasn’t the sole reason for the pause. Director Rajamouli reportedly saw the delay as an opportunity to tighten the script.
While Mahesh Babu had earlier expressed excitement over the film’s early direction, Rajamouli is said to be refining key narrative elements—a hallmark of his perfectionist approach.
The break, though unplanned, may end up benefiting the film’s storytelling depth.
New Locations, Same Vision
With Kenya out of the picture, the team is now eyeing Tanzania and South Africa—both offering comparable jungle environments and a more secure setting for large-scale filming.
Talks are ongoing to secure shooting permits, with tentative plans to resume the outdoor schedule in late July or early August.
Meanwhile, production is still moving forward elsewhere. Key sequences have already been completed in India, including jungle scenes shot in Odisha’s Koraput Hills and the Borra Caves.
A massive ₹50 crore (~750 million Ksh) set recreating Varanasi’s Manikarnika Ghat was also constructed at Ramoji Film City, underscoring the scale of the project.
A High-Stakes Film in Every Sense
SSMB29, marking Mahesh Babu’s 29th film, is being billed as one of the most physically demanding roles of his career.
The film also marks Priyanka Chopra Jonas’s return to Indian cinema after a long hiatus, adding a global edge to the already ambitious production.
With a rumored budget nearing ₹1000 crore, the film is being closely monitored by both the industry and fans around the world.
While the Kenya setback is a blow to the film’s momentum, insiders say the team is choosing polish over panic.
If Rajamouli’s past successes are anything to go by, SSMB29 may well be shaping into a cinematic spectacle worth every delay.