Indian films are becoming more expansive and lavish. The title of the most expensive film in India is shifted from one massive project to another with every year that goes by. The biggest Indian film a few years ago was almost always a Bollywood production. That was, however, altered by ‘Baahubali’, and ever since, the record for the highest budget for an Indian film has nearly always been surpassed by a movie from the Tamil or Telugu industries.
The record is expected to be shattered once more in 2024, and this time, it will also surpass the 1000-crore threshold. Director SS Rajamouli is preparing his next film, which will star Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, following the enormous success of the ‘Baahubali’ films and ‘RRR‘. Veteran screenwriter Vijayendra Prasad, who happens to be Rajamouli’s father, is penning the film.
The screenwriter recently revealed in a media interview that the movie will be the biggest Indian film ever made and that writing has started on it. An article in India Today claims that the film, which is being shot on a massive budget of Rs 1000 crore, is easily the highest ever in Indian cinema history, and is tentatively titled ‘SSMB29’.
Mahesh Babu in India’s most expensive film:
If the Rs 1000 crore budget is correct, then ‘SSMB29′ will be more costly than the combined expenses of Rajamouli’s two previous films, ‘RRR’ (Rs 500 crore) and Baahubali 2 (Rs 250 crore), as well as the most expensive Indian film ever made. Honestly, most of the upcoming Bollywood films with big budgets or pan-Indian films are nothing in comparison. A distant second, Prabhas’ ‘Kalki 2898 AD’, is scheduled to be produced on a Rs 600 crore budget. According to reports, the budgets of other films like ‘Pushpa 2’, ‘Devara’, ‘Singham Again‘, and ‘Fighter‘ are between Rs 250 and Rs 300 crore.
Although there aren’t many details available yet, Vijayendra Prasad recently shared some important information about the eagerly awaited movie. The screenwriter disclosed that this will not be a period drama like Rajamouli’s previous two films; instead, it will take place in the present. In terms of tone and tenor, he also compared the action-adventure to the Hollywood blockbuster Indiana Jones, with Mahesh Babu ostensibly portraying an Indiana Jones-like figure.
The music score is already being worked on by MM Keeravani. In a press conference, Rajamouli is scheduled to disclose the movie’s plot at the appropriate moment. But since the movie is still in pre-production, it might be some time before that occurs. As of right now, there is no specific release window.
