SS Rajamouli's team intensify crackdown after video leak
Director SS Rajamouli has declared war on leaks with a fierce crackdown on social media accounts posting clips from his upcoming jungle adventure film ‘SSMB29’, starring Mahesh Babu.
On Sunday, unauthorized clips of Mahesh Babu’s scenes being filmed in Odisha’s Koraput district went viral on several X accounts. Subsequently, the team issued copyright strikes, forcing platforms to remove the footage.
Latest reports have now surfaced with sources citing that the SSMB29 team has levied a three-layer security setup that is now enforced at the Talamali Hilltop shooting site in Semiliguda to prevent further breaches.
The first leak emerged when photos of Mahesh Babu and co-star Prithviraj Sukumaran at Hyderabad airport circulated online. Though Prithviraj’s role was never officially announced, his mother and a PRO later confirmed his involvement. Days later, videos of a sprawling jungle set in Odisha surfaced, sparking fan excitement but alarming the crew.
The final straw was a leaked clip showing Mahesh Babu, reportedly confronting Prithviraj’s character. While fans dissected the footage, the team swiftly filed legal notices and ramped up digital surveillance to trace leak sources.
Rajamouli chose Odisha’s dense forests and Talamali Hilltop to shoot pivotal sequences of SSMB 29, leveraging the state’s raw, untamed landscapes for the film’s adventurous theme. The remote location, however, posed security challenges, with locals and crew members allegedly recording videos.
ALSO READ: All about Odisha's Koraput, a hidden gem that attracted Rajamouli, Mahesh Babu & Anushka
The film, scripted by Rajamouli’s father Vijayendra Prasad, is shrouded in secrecy. Rumours have suggested Priyanka Chopra may play a lead role, though the team remains tight-lipped.
Additionally, SS Rajamouli’s track record with mass hits like Baahubali and RRR, has fueled sky-high expectations. Fans have also speculated that SSMB 29 could blend mythology with jungle survival themes, a formula the director masters.
Notably, this incident is not Rajamouli’s first clash with leaks. During RRR, unauthorized BTS clips also went viral. For SSMB 29, the director’s zero-tolerance approach underscores the importance of SSMB 29 and a high-stakes star-studded venture.