Vijayendra Prasad reveals why Rajamouli chose the adventure thriller genre for Mahesh Babu's 'SSMB29'

Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra are set to star in the highly anticipated film 'SSMB29,' directed by the ace director SS Rajamouli. The project has officially begun filming, with key scenes already shot at the Aluminium Factory in Hyderabad. For the first time, Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra will work together.

Recently, Rajamouli's father and acclaimed writer Vijayendra Prasad shared insights about the film's genre. According to a report by OTTPlay, he shared that Mahesh Babu had never explored an adventure thriller before, making this a unique opportunity for the actor. Prasad pointed out that Indian cinema lacks grand, big-budget adventure thrillers, and he believes this genre is perfect for targeting international audiences.

He said, "The film is aimed at international markets, so what better than an adventure thriller? That was one of the main reasons we decided to set the story in this genre.".

The film is expected to feature scenes shot in the forests of Kenya, enhancing its adventurous appeal. Full production is expected to begin in April 2025, with plans to wrap filming by the end of 2026. Rajamouli is known for maintaining secrecy around his projects, and strict NDAs have been enforced among the cast and crew to keep details under wraps.

The film is currently in the production phase. The movie will feature Priyanka Chopra as the female lead, although the 'Don' actress has taken a brief break to attend her brother Siddharth's wedding.

'SSMB29' is touted to be an epic cinematic experience, with a budget estimated between Rs 900 and Rs 1000 crores. The film is being described as a globe-trotting adventure inspired by franchises like Indiana Jones.

There have been speculations that the film will also feature Prithviraj Sukumar in the movie.