Director SS Rajamouli made his debut in the world of video games, appearing in a cameo role in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, developed by renowned Japanese game creator Hideo Kojima. Alongside him, his son SS Karthikeya also features in the game, portraying characters named "The Adventurer" and "The Adventurer’s Son," respectively.
The game is set for a global release on June 26, exclusively on PlayStation 5. Ahead of the official launch, some players with early access spotted the Indian filmmaker duo’s appearances in the game. While the roles are minor and non-playable, the visual resemblance to Rajamouli and Karthikeya has generated significant attention online, with fans sharing video clips and screenshots on social media.
The collaboration between Rajamouli and Kojima has been building since 2022, when Rajamouli visited Japan for the release of RRR. During that trip, he toured Kojima Productions and experienced a 360-degree presentation of the studio’s upcoming work. In April 2025, Kojima and the Rajamouli family also held a virtual meeting, fuelling speculation of a crossover.
Hideo Kojima is widely known for creating immersive, narrative-driven games with strong cinematic qualities. Death Stranding 2 features a high-profile cast including Norman Reedus, Elle Fanning, and Léa Seydoux. The addition of Rajamouli marks a rare and playful intersection between global filmmaking and gaming.
Meanwhile, Rajamouli is currently busy shooting his next, SSMB29 starring Mahesh Babu.