Nana Patekar Declines Rs 20 Crore Role In SS Rajamouli’s ‘SSMB29’ Despite Personal Pitch

The production of SS Rajamouli's eagerly awaited adventure film SSMB29, which stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Prithviraj Sukumaran, is under underway. A prominent Bollywood actor recently declined a major role in the movie, which was supposed to be a magnificent cinematic experience.

Veteran actor Nana Patekar was asked to play Mahesh Babu's father in SSMB29, according to a News18 report. According to reports, in 2023, SS Rajamouli personally narrated the script and convinced the Housefull 5 star to accept the role in his farmhouse in Pune. The job was unpalatable to Patekar, who turned down the offer despite the director's personal contact and thorough narration.

The two had a detailed and engaging discussion during the meeting, but Patekar ultimately chose not to move forward with the project. Notably, he was offered a massive remuneration of Rs 20 crore for just 15 days of shooting. However, the veteran actor stood firm on his decision, stating that it was not the right fit for him at this time. Still, he conveyed interest in working with Rajamouli on another project in the future.

SSMB29 is described as an epic adventure thriller with mythological themes, reportedly drawing inspiration from Lord Hanuman and the Indiana Jones franchise. Contrary to earlier rumors suggesting a two-part release, the film is planned as a single feature with a lengthy runtime of approximately three and a half hours.

The story unfolds against the backdrop of the sacred city of Kashi, with elaborate sets being constructed in Hyderabad to replicate the iconic location. A significant portion of the film has already been shot in Odisha, featuring grand visuals and meticulously designed sets.

The movie is being produced on a colossal budget estimated at Rs 1000 crore. Renowned composer and Oscar-winner M.M. Keeravani is handling the film's music.

Though there has been speculation that the makers are targeting a release on March 25, 2027 - which would mark the fifth anniversary of Rajamouli's blockbuster RRR - no official release date has been confirmed yet.