Inside scoop: Mahesh Babu's character in SS Rajamouli's jungle adventure takes inspiration from Lord Hanuman

SS Rajamouli has emerged as one of the most renowned directors in Indian cinema, thanks to his globally recognized films such as 'Magadheera', 'Eega', 'Baahubali 1', 'Baahubali 2', and 'RRR'. His upcoming project, a jungle adventure with Mahesh Babu, is slated to commence filming towards the end of this year. The highly anticipated movie is currently in the writing stage and is expected to be a significant release in Indian cinema. Mahesh Babu's debut in Pan India cinema is set to take place with this as-yet-untitled film, which is targeting a worldwide release in late 2025.

Sources close to the development reveal that Mahesh Babu's character in SS Rajamouli's upcoming film draws inspiration from Lord Hanuman. Rajamouli is known for his films that are deeply rooted in Indian culture and often draw inspiration from the Ramayana and Mahabharata. While the film is set in an African jungle, Mahesh Babu's character will possess traits similar to Lord Hanuman, who has a history of fighting against all odds in the jungle. Additionally, the character's trajectory will follow that of the Ramayana, but with Rajamouli's unique spin on the story.

SS Rajamouli has previously drawn inspiration from Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Amar Chitrakatha for his creative works. These epic tales have been a part of the filmmaker's upbringing and can be seen in his past project, RRR, which featured Jr. NTR and Ram Charan as Bheem and Lord Ram, respectively. The team is currently in the process of writing the script and plans to begin filming by the end of this year. The movie is expected to be one of the most expensive films in Indian cinema and will predominantly be shot in the Amazon Forest, as per sources.

An international studio is set to produce an upcoming jungle adventure, which is still without a title. The movie will feature extensive VFX work to be carried out in LA. While earlier reports suggested that Disney may fund the project, the latest update reveals that another global powerhouse is also vying for the opportunity. According to sources, Sony Pictures is in talks to acquire the SS Rajamouli-Mahesh Babu film. The competition appears to be between Disney and Sony, as both studios have pledged to provide top-notch technical assistance to the acclaimed director.