Kenya has become the stage for one of the biggest film productions in Asian cinema history as shooting begins for SSMB29, a Ksh20 billion ($135 million) blockbuster directed by renowned Indian filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli.

The production, which kicked off in April 2025, has drawn global attention to Kenya’s cinematic potential and breathtaking scenery, with nearly 95 per cent of the African scenes being filmed locally.

Locations include the Maasai Mara, Lake Naivasha, Samburu, and Amboseli, where sweeping views of Mount Kilimanjaro form part of the backdrop.

Rajamouli—celebrated internationally for his epic hits Baahubali and RRR—is leading a 120-member crew in Kenya after the country was chosen over Uganda and Tanzania during an East African scouting tour.

On Tuesday, September 2, he was hosted by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, who praised the project as a milestone for Kenya’s creative economy.

“For Kenya, this decision goes beyond cinema; it is a landmark moment that showcases the country’s natural beauty, cultural richness, and unmatched hospitality to a global audience,” said Mudavadi after meeting with Rajamouli, adding that the government is committed to supporting international productions.

Mudavadi further noted that the project could open doors for local talent, create jobs, and boost tourism and hospitality revenues, while positioning Kenya as a hub for global filmmaking and cultural collaboration.

Scheduled for release across 120 countries, SSMB29 is expected to reach over one billion viewers worldwide, underscoring both the scale of the film and the exposure it will bring to Kenya.

Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra has also joined the cast, filming action-packed scenes in the country. The actress, who has won multiple awards, including two National Film Awards, gave her global audience a glimpse of Kenya’s wilderness by sharing photos from a luxury safari camp over the weekend.

As the winner of the Miss World 2000 pageant, she is one of India’s highest-paid actresses and has received numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards and five Filmfare Awards. 

In 2016, the Government of India honoured her with the Padma Shri, and Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Two years later, Forbes listed her among the World’s 100 Most Powerful Women.

Some of the famous movies she has acted in include Baywatch (2017), Isn’t It Romantic (2019), The White Tiger (2021), The Matrix Resurrections (2021) and recently Heads of State.

This is notably not the first time Chopra has appeared in Kenya. Married to popular American singer, songwriter and actor Nick Jonas, she paid a visit to the East African country in 2022 alongside members of the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

In October of that year, she was revealed to be in Lodwar, Turkana County, for a high-level mission as a Global UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.