SSMB28: Mahesh Babu and Trivikram’s film gets a new release date; makers unveil a new massy poster

Mahesh Babu, last seen in the mass entertainer Sarkaru Vaari Paata, is reuniting with popular filmmaker Trivikram for his next, tentatively titled SSMB28. This is the third collaboration of the actor-director duo after acclaimed films like Athadu and Khaleja. Pooja Hegde and Sreeleela are the leading ladies of the film bankrolled by S Radha Krishna under Haarika and Haassine Creations.

After a series of delays and script revisions, the shoot of SSMB28 commenced earlier this year and was to release in theatres on August 11, as announced by the makers themselves in a promotional interview. However, there is a change in plans now and Mahesh Babu’s fans eagerly awaited an update from the team about it this Ugadi. However, the much-awaited news was announced today.

SSMB28 will be a Sankranti release for 2024 and will arrive on January 13 next year. The makers confirmed the development through a new, massy poster where Mahesh Babu is sporting a black shirt with blue denims, stylishly smoking a cigarette, as he arrives in front of a lorry. A series of red chillies are flying mid air with his arrival while a few men look up to him with anxiety.

“The Reigning Superstar @urstrulymahesh in an all new MASS avatar is all set to meet you with #SSMB28 in theatres from 13th January 2024 worldwide #SSMB28FromJAN13 #Trivikram @hegdepooja @sreeleela14 @MusicThaman @vamsi84 #PSVinod @NavinNooli #ASPrakash @haarikahassine,” the production house tweeted this evening.

Jayaram, Ramya Krishna too play important roles in SSMB28. The much-awaited project commenced in February last year amidst huge fanfare though it underwent extensive pre-production and several script changes before it went on floors in 2023. S Thaman scores the music for the film whose technical team includes cinematographer PS Vinod, editor Navin Nooli and art director AS Prakash.

Some of the biggest hits in Mahesh Babu’s career - Okkadu, Sarileru Neekevvaru, Seethamma Vakitlo Sirimalle Chettu - arrived for Sankranthi and one hopes the festival season proves lucky for the star again. Trivikram, besides SSMB28, has also adapted the screenplay and wrote the dialogues for Vinodhaya Sitham’s Telugu remake starring Pawan Kalyan, Sai Dharam Tej, which is releasing on July 28 this year.