Highlights
- SS Rajamouli revealed the first look of Prithviraj Sukumaran as Kumbha in SSMB29.
- Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra play lead roles in the jungle adventure thriller.
- Fans compared Kumbha’s robotic-armed look to Marvel’s Doctor Octopus and Krrish 3.
Prithviraj Sukumaran transforms into Kumbha
Director SS Rajamouli unveiled the first look of Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran from SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra. The poster introduces Prithviraj as Kumbha, the film’s antagonist, described as a sinister and powerful character.
In the striking poster, Prithviraj sits in a futuristic wheelchair, hinting that the character may suffer from a motor neuron disorder. Dressed in a black suit, his pale expression and intense gaze add to the chilling aura. The poster also shows four mechanical arms extending from his chair, giving the character a part-human, part-machine presence.
The backdrop, inspired by African landscapes and baobab trees, features military convoys and media vans, setting the tone for what appears to be an expansive global adventure.
Rajamouli hails Prithviraj as “one of the finest”
Sharing the poster on social media, Rajamouli praised Prithviraj’s performance, wrote, “After canning the first shot with Prithvi, I walked up to him and said you are one of the finest actors I’ve ever known. Bringing life to this sinister, ruthless, powerful antagonist, Kumbha was creatively very satisfying.”
He also thanked the actor “for slipping into the chair, literally,” a nod to the character’s unique physical setup in the film.
Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra react
Mahesh Babu shared the poster with the caption, “Stood on the other side… time to meet you head-on, KUMBHA.”
Priyanka Chopra, who stars alongside Mahesh, also posted the look, writing, “We take off with this one… Meet KUMBHA!!”
The team is expected to introduce more characters from SSMB29 at a grand promotional event later this month.
Fans draw parallels with Marvel and Indian sci-fi
Within hours of release, the poster trended online as fans compared Kumbha’s appearance to iconic cinematic villains. Many drew parallels between Doctor Octopus from Spider-Man and Karl from Krrish 3.
One fan wrote, “Professor X’s chair meets Doc Ock’s arms = KUMBHA! The ultimate crossover we didn’t know we needed.” Another commented, “Getting major Suriya’s 24 vibes.”
While some highlighted the inspiration behind the design, others praised the originality of Prithviraj’s menacing transformation, calling it “Rajamouli-level reinvention of the supervillain.”
SSMB29, a jungle adventure thriller directed by SS Rajamouli, marks the filmmaker’s first collaboration with Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra. The film is expected to hit theatres in 2026.
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