Tollywood actor calls ‘RRR’ HISTORICALLY EPIC, salutes Rajamouli as GAME CHANGER

When the video of crazy Americans dancing on Naatu Naatu in a Los Angeles theatre went viral last year, people were surprised that how a song in a language so unknown to them, made them stand up and shake their legs with a theater full of people, who were applauding at the impeccable dance moves of Jr NTR and Ram Charan. It sums up Rajamouli-directed ‘RRR’s global sensation and how it led to the historic Oscar win. Those who have closely followed SS Rajamouli’s career over the years are well aware of the fact that Rajamouli needs no introduction.

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It is safe to say that SS Rajamouli is now a name to reckon with in not just India but also in the international markets. After the huge success of the ‘Baahubali’ films, as expected, there was so much expectation and hype surrounding his film ‘RRR’. Starring popular Telugu actors Jr NTR and Ram Charan along with Ajay Devgn and Alia Bhatt, ‘RRR’ became a game changer for Indian cinema. Not just in South but Rajamouli has so many admirers across industries. For instance, in Kolkata, like many other celebs, seasoned actor Rajatava Dutta is a big fan of the ace director.

“When the film was released, many people called it a ‘nonsensical masala entertainer’, but ‘RRR’ was something different. It had many scenes which defied the rules of physics as Rajamouli himself had said once, that he wanted to show his heroes as ‘larger than life and have powers like superhumans’. When MM Keeravani's music infused with those spectacular scenes, they just looked epic,” said the versatile actor who is eagerly waiting for his next film, ‘The Eken: Ruddhoswash Rajasthan’.

‘RRR’ producers successfully executed key elements of the modern marketing playbook - phonology, virality and a reinvention of familiar cultural codes. Rajamouli who has also given hits like ‘Magadheera’, and ‘Eega’ can inspire any aspiring filmmaker. That’s what Rajatava believes and he also thinks the aggressive promotional strategy ‘RRR’ used throughout its journey to winning Oscar is a key factor in the film’s massive success.

The acclaimed filmmaker needs no introduction down South, as his action thrillers, comedies and family dramas have earned him legions of admirers over the years. So why is he so successful? Rajatava says, “It is due to their imaginative storytelling, technical advancement, larger-than-life characters, and innovative special effects. If you see closely, Rajamouli is a serial hit-maker. His 2009 reincarnation drama ‘Magadheera’ is still one of Telugu cinema’s all-time hits. His movies are being dubbed and remade regularly in other Southern languages.”

“RRR has strong roots in Indian culture and heritage, it’s something which has always fascinated the West. Rajamouli came up with two ‘Indian machos’ who are strong, motivated, can do everything in the world and reminded us of Amitabh Bachchan’s characters in films like Mard, Coolie, Kala Patthar or Deewar. He successfully brought back the alpha-machismo of the heroes that the audience couldn’t find in Indian commercial films for a long time compared to ones we saw in Bachchan’s films, where the hero used to make his entry walking through the explosions and later charmed the girl with a dance.