Director SS Rajamouli, known for pushing cinematic boundaries, has made a significant creative decision for his upcoming magnum opus starring Mahesh Babu, Prithviraj, and Priyanka Chopra.
Set against the spiritual backdrop of Kashi, the film is slated for a grand release in Summer 2027, with a marathon production schedule running through mid-2026.
While the shoot is progressing at full pace, sources close to the project have revealed a major update: SSMB 29, which was initially planned as a two-part saga, will now be told as a single, expansive feature.
A source close to the development shared, “SS Rajamouli has always believed in breaking conventions. While he pioneered the trend of two-part storytelling with Baahubali, he now feels that format is being overused and, at times, exploited for commercial gain. With SSMB 29, he’s determined to tell a complete story in a single part — something that grabs attention and holds it till the end. Just like RRR, this film too will have a runtime of around 3 hours and 30 minutes.”
The decision to condense the narrative into one film was taken some time ago, based on how the screenplay naturally flowed.
“He doesn’t want to stretch the story unnecessarily. There’s a proper beginning, a strong middle, and a powerful conclusion that delivers emotional and cinematic satisfaction,” the source added.
SSMB 29 is shaping up to be one of Rajamouli’s most ambitious and possibly longest films yet. But every frame is said to be designed to captivate audiences throughout its run.
“It’s a layered tale that blends mythology, reality, fiction, and high-stakes adventure,” the insider revealed. “Key scenes have already been filmed. Rajamouli is also working on a two-minute announcement video composed of actual footage, which is currently in post-production.”
The film, which brings together Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj in key roles, is being positioned as one of the most significant projects in Indian cinema.
Rajamouli is also in talks with international studios and filmmakers to present the film on a global platform, with formal announcements expected in due time.
In an interesting financial move, both Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli have entered into a 40% back-end profit-sharing deal with producer K.L. Narayana, reflecting their confidence in the film’s worldwide appeal.
With Rajamouli moving away from the two-part trend and focusing on immersive, single-format storytelling, SSMB 29 is set to be a cinematic spectacle unlike any other.
