SS Rajamouli Builds India’s Most Expensive Set Worth ₹50 Crore
In an extraordinary move that pushes the boundaries of film production in India, celebrated filmmaker SS Rajamouli has constructed a lavish ₹50-crore set for his upcoming pan-India fantasy-action film, tentatively titled SSMB29. The project stars Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu and global icon Priyanka Chopra, and is poised to become one of Indian cinema’s most ambitious undertakings.
What Was Built in Hyderabad
The set, built in Hyderabad, is a complete recreation of the holy city of Kashi, also known as Varanasi, including its famous temples, ghats, and intricate architectural details. Designed to avoid the logistical challenges of shooting in the real Varanasi, the city-sized set spans multiple acres and captures the spiritual and historic aura of the ancient city with impressive faithfulness.
Leaked set images reveal an awe-inspiring panorama with towering temple spires juxtaposed against Hyderabad’s urban skyline, giving a glimpse into the massive scale of the project.
“The filmmakers wanted to ensure authenticity while minimizing the logistical constraints of shooting in an ancient, heavily populated city like Varanasi. The answer was building Kashi from the ground up,” a production insider revealed. “At a cost of ₹50 crore, it’s the most expensive set in Indian cinema history.”
Context: Surpassing Devdas and Other Iconic Sets
To understand the magnitude of this project, one must look at previous benchmarks. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas was renowned for its intricate sets, and the cost of building the iconic kotha of Chandramukhi reached ₹12 crore back in 2002. That film’s total budget was less than ₹50 crore—a figure now matched solely by the set of SSMB29.
Other films known for expensive set designs include:
- Bajirao Mastani – ₹15-20 crore for peak set pieces
- Thugs of Hindostan – ₹20 crore for ship and fort sets
- Bombay Velvet – Recreated 1960s Bombay in Sri Lanka, costing several crores
- Heeramandi and Prem Ratan Dhan Paayo – Sets crossing the ₹15 crore mark
Yet, none have come close to the scope and budget of the set being created for Rajamouli’s upcoming spectacle.
Why Build When You Can Use CGI?
In an era where VFX and virtual production are becoming industry standards, questions surface about the need for physical sets. Rajamouli and his team, however, appear determined to preserve the tactile authenticity that physical sets can provide, a value that remains irreplaceable despite technological advances.
This isn’t an isolated sentiment. Industry insiders acknowledge that while CGI offers creative freedom, building real environments often enhances actor performances and makes the audience’s experience more immersive.
“Massive physical sets are a filmmaker’s way of creating tangible worlds that actors can inhabit in real-time,” said a senior production designer not associated with the film. “They offer light realism, shadows, depth, and human interaction that CGI sometimes falls short of.”
About SSMB29: Rajamouli’s Next Masterpiece
While not much is officially revealed about SSMB29, speculations around the plot suggest a fantasy-action narrative with mythical undertones, where Mahesh Babu plays an explorer on a high-stakes journey. The decision to recreate Varanasi may suggest a spiritual or religious arc within the film.
This will be Rajamouli’s first film after the global success of RRR, which broke several international box office records and earned accolades, including an Oscar for Best Original Song. Expectations are understandably sky-high for his follow-up project, and the ₹50-crore set investment reinforces just how serious the production is about scale and detail.
Comparison to Global Standards
Globally, massive sets are usually reserved for high-budget Hollywood productions. Rajamouli’s intention to raise Indian film production to international standards appears to be in motion with projects like this. Comparable to what directors like James Cameron or Peter Jackson might build for their epic fantasies, the replication of Kashi echoes India’s own answer to such cinematic ambition.
Growing Trend of Grand Sets in Telugu Cinema
The Telugu film industry, known for its grand productions, has been leading the trend of constructing mammoth sets in recent years:
- The RajaSaab – Built what is claimed to be the world’s biggest indoor set, measuring 38,000 square feet. Though the cost remains undisclosed, sources say it took six months to complete.
- Baahubali – Previous Rajamouli project that also featured massive custom-built sets, though on a lower budget compared to SSMB29.
With VFX heavyweights like RRR and Baahubali, the trend of combining physical sets with digital extensions continues to evolve in India. But such dedication to practical set construction is turning heads once again with Rajamouli’s latest endeavor.
What This Means for the Indian Film Industry
The ₹50 crore set is more than just a budget headline—it signifies a turning point. Indian cinema is confidently stepping into the realm of international-scale productions while firmly holding on to traditional methods of filmmaking where necessary. It also sets a high bar for resource allocation in future megaprojects, especially when engaging with themes that demand cultural authenticity.
As anticipation builds for SSMB29, the recreated Kashi may well become a symbol of Indian cinema’s growing global aspirations and attention to detail. If the early buzz around the set is anything to go by, Rajamouli may have another visual masterpiece in the making.
