Entertainment
Jul 15, 2025
Indian film director S.S Rajamouli and his son Karthikeya step into Hideo Kojima's Death Stranding 2, debuting as a playable character in the cinematic gaming world signifying a powerful merger between Indian cinema and gaming industry Photo by: X
From Baahubali to RRR, SS Rajamouli has delivered nothing but epic blockbusters and raised the bar for Indian cinema. He has reinvented Indian movies with his breathtakingly grand cinematography and emotional stories that made us cry. He is known for his powerful stories that set his films apart from others, with larger-than-life characters and a seamless blend of myth, history, and emotions.
On June 25, 2025, we got news of a crossover that no one would have imagined, and around July 9, 2025 we got the confirmation of SS Rajamouli’s debut in the gaming industry with Death Stranding 2.
This collaboration is more than just a cameo; it’s a cultural milestone where global gaming recognizes the cinematic power of Indian storytellers. Rajamouli and his son, S.S. Karthikeya, occur in the game as "The Adventurer" and "The Adventurer's Son," marking a unique bond between the film and the interactive experience extending to multiple continents.
What is Death Stranding 2?
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is the sequel to Hideo Kojima's highly acclaimed 2019 game Death Stranding. It is known for its remarkably striking visuals that keep us glued to the screens, deep and emotional themes that invoke feelings we never felt, and complex post-apocalyptic world-building. The game takes forward the story of Sam Porter Bridges in a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by mysterious forces. It is a blend of various categories like science fiction, diving us into a realm of science, supernatural elements that keep things in the imagination, and stories that are purely cinematic.
Death Stranding 2 explores isolation, human connection, and hence teaches us valuable lessons and survival. It is a cinematic, post-apocalyptic story that spreads across Australia and Mexico, featuring supernatural elements such as "BTS" and "Ghost Mech." It features an extremely stellar cast, including Norman Reedus, Elle Fanning, and now, for the first time, Rajamouli himself.
How did it all begin?
During the worldwide release of RRR in 2022, Rajamouli visited Kojima Productions in Japan. Kojima conducted a 360° screening of RRR and quietly quizzed Rajamouli for future needs. Rajamouli said that he felt "something magical" during this meeting, although he did not know how this data would be used.
In April 2025, Kojima and Rajamouli held a virtual meeting with his son Karthikeya, hinting at a future collaboration between the two. In Death Stranding: On the Beach, Rajamouli plays "The Adventurer," and his son S.S. Karthikeya plays "The Adventurer's Son."
Final Conclusion
From India's blockbuster epics to the cutting-edge video game world, Death Stranding 2 features S.S. Rajamouli's appearance, which is more than just a cameo; it signals a deeper connection between the world of film and gaming.
