SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film, tentatively titled SSMB29, is frequently making headlines for its star-studded cast, which includes Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in the pivotal roles.
However, there have been rumours swirling around that the upcoming highly anticipated epic adventure film was offered to veteran actor Nana Patekar.
Several earlier reports suggested that a look test was conducted for Nana Patekar, and he was expected to play the role of Babu’s father in the film. However, the actor has debunked the speculations and claimed that the makers didn’t reach out.
According to News18 Showsha, Nana Patekar said, “No.”
Meanwhile, a source previously informed the outlet that SS Rajamouli has reportedly approached the veteran actor last year, but he turned it down. The source cited that Patekar rejected the part as the role didn’t fit him.
The source said, “Rajamouli was very keen on casting Nana Patekar for a pivotal part in his film with Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra. The filmmaker had travelled from Hyderabad to Patekar’s farmhouse in Pune to narrate him the script. The duo, in fact, had an interesting exchange of inputs but then Patekar said that this isn’t something he wants to do.”
The source further revealed the outlet that the makers had offered a hefty amount to Nana Patekar for the role in SSMB29. The source noted, “The money offered was close to an unprecedented Rs 20 crore. And he had to only shoot for about 15 days. But he felt that the role wasn’t something that he wanted to sink his teeth into.”
The shooting of the film kicked off in January 2025 with Priyanka and Mahesh spotted in Hyderabad and Odisha filming the scenes. Prithviraj Sukumaran has also confirmed to be a part of the upcoming film.
Produced by veteran filmmaker KL Narayana with a staggering budget of Rs 1,000 crores, the upcoming action-adventure SSMB29 is penned by Rajamouli’s father, writer Vijayendra Prasad. The film is slated for a 2027 release.
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