Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra's SSMB29 Kenya shoot CANCELLED; SS Rajamouli sets sights on Tanzania alternatives: Reports

In a sudden change of plans, filmmaker SS Rajamouli has seemingly called off the Kenya shooting schedule of the Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra starrer SSMB29. According to the latest reports, the director has been forced to shift his shoot location, allegedly due to civil unrest in the African nation.Initially set to begin filming in mid-July in Kenya, a report on Mid-Day states that with anti-government protests and public unrest escalating in recent weeks, the team decided to prioritise crew safety and explore alternative international locations.Rajamouli is now said to be considering filming key portions of the film in South Africa and Tanzania, both of which offer terrains and landscapes that align with his vision.

“Rajamouli sir was clear that he wanted terrains that have rarely been seen on Indian screens. Tanzania’s highlands and parts of South Africa ticked those boxes,” a crew member told the portal.The report further states that the production team is now in the process of securing filming permits in the alternative locations. If approvals come through as expected, the crew is likely to begin filming in South Africa by the third week of July.

SSMB29 marks the first collaboration between Rajamouli and Mahesh Babu, and expectations are sky-high following the director’s global success with RRR. The film reportedly follows Mahesh Babu as a globe-trotting explorer, much like the Iconic Hollywood character Indiana Jones, played by Harrison Ford.