"It's November already," tweeted Superstar Mahesh Babu on Saturday night, slyly teasing director SS Rajamouli about the much-awaited update on SSMB29. The wait might finally end soon.
As per reports circulating in Tollywood, a grand title reveal event is being planned at Ramoji Film City on November 15, 6 PM onwards. Fans will not only get to know the title but also get a first glimpse of the film.
What's more, the event will reportedly be live streamed on JioHotstar, marking one of the platform's biggest South Indian collaborations yet. Though the makers have not officially confirmed it, insiders reveal that Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, and Rajamouli himself will be present for the big night.
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The real surprise lies in the choice of streaming partner. Many expected Netflix to bag the live streaming rights, especially since Rajamouli's global fame skyrocketed after RRR became a worldwide phenomenon on Netflix. That success ultimately led to the film's Oscar win. So, when reports emerged that JioHotstar had outbid Netflix for the rights, it naturally raised eyebrows across industry circles.
According to trade buzz, JioHotstar offered an unprecedented price to secure exclusive streaming of the event, making it impossible for the SSMB29 team to turn down. The move also signals JioHotstar's aggressive push to reclaim dominance in India's OTT space after facing stiff competition from Netflix and Amazon Prime. For Rajamouli, who is known for his strategic partnerships, the decision seems to align with a broader outreach plan. JioHotstar has much better reach among the Indian audience compared to other OTT platforms like Netflix or Prime Video. Jio's vast ecosystem ensures wider real-time engagement within India.
SSMB29, rumored to be titled Varanasi, is being produced by KL Narayana with music by MM Keeravani. The film is reportedly set in ancient India and aims for an early 2027 release. Given the scale, cast, and streaming buzz, the film is already shaping up to be one of the most anticipated Indian releases of the decade.
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About the AuthorManaswini KManaswini is a senior writer with extensive experience covering Telugu cinema, as well as the broader Indian film landscape, including Bollywood, Tamil, and other regional industries. With a strong focus on NRI (Non-Resi…ADVERTISEMENT