Kenya’s beautiful geographic scenery has been placed at the heart of Asia’s most anticipated next film after Kenya landed a Ksh20 million deal for the SSMB29 Bollywood Movie to be recorded in the country.
The deal was revealed by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who hosted renowned filmmaker, writer, and director Srisaila Sri Rajamouli on Tuesday, September 2.
Rajamouli is in the country, accompanied by a 120-member crew to shoot the SSMB29 movie. The shooting had been ongoing for two weeks in the country and saw renowned actors like Hollywood’s Priyanka Chopra, the movie’s lead actress, visiting the country.
Rajamouli, whose career spans more than two decades, is renowned for fusing powerful narratives with ground-breaking visuals and profound cultural depth.
After an extensive location-scouting tour across East Africa, including Uganda, Tanzania, and Kenya, the production team ultimately chose Kenya as the primary filming destination. Nearly 95 per cent of the movie’s African scenes have been recorded here.
The location of the movie ranges from the breath-taking Masaai Mara to the scenic shores of Naivasha, the rugged terrains of Samburu, and the majestic backdrop of Amboseli.
According to the production team that met with Mudavadi, the movie is setting the scene for Kenya’s breath-taking landscapes to be firmly woven into what is set to become the largest film production in Asia.
Speaking to the PCS, the crew revealed that the movie is set to premiere in over 120 countries and is expected to reach an audience of more than one billion people worldwide, placing Kenya at a worldwide pedestal, opening opportunities for more investors.
Mudavadi warmly welcomed the crew, revealing that the country was ready to share its story with the world and strengthen its position as a premier destination for film, tourism, and international collaboration.
Apart from the exposure, the movie is also expected to inject millions into Kenya’s economy, with local talent, hospitality services, and logistics providers benefiting.
This will not be the first time Kenya has been used as a site to shoot a Bollywood movie. Renowned film director Raj Kumar also recorded the movie 'Love in Mombasa' in Mombasa City in 2019.
Aside from Bollywood movies, Kenya has also featured in many other Hollywood movies like The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind and Tomb Raider.
