Africa – The Emerging Destination for Tollywood Shoots?

Telugu filmmakers once had a strong preference for outdoor shoots, going the extra mile to capture natural beauty on screen. However, in recent years, trends shifted. With tighter schedules and the widespread use of smartphones, most productions moved indoors, with only a few major films continuing to explore outdoor locations.

Now, Tollywood appears to be rekindling its love for outdoor shooting, with Africa emerging as a popular choice.

Mahesh Babu and SS Rajamouli’s upcoming film, tentatively titled Globetrotter, has already completed a shooting schedule in South Africa. The film reportedly blends action, adventure, and mythology. The team is expected to reveal the official title at a grand Hyderabad event next month, with a title glimpse anticipated on November 16. Rumors suggest the film may be named Varanasi.

Another high-profile project heading to Africa is Dragon, starring NTR and directed by Prashanth Neel. The crew plans a location recce in Tunisia, North Africa, from October 27 for a week. After a long hiatus, shooting will resume soon, with NTR joining the Hyderabad schedule by the end of November, followed by the North Africa schedule.

Both Globetrotter and Dragon are large-scale action dramas with massive budgets. The choice of African locations signals Tollywood’s growing interest in exploring new landscapes. If these films fully utilize Africa’s untapped locales, the continent could become a preferred destination for major Telugu productions.