If ever I am granted special powers, I’d like to enter in the director SS Rajamouli’s mind, to understand what goes inside it! Just how can, a man, who appears to be so humble in person, create such valiant magnum opus onscreen. From the Bahubali trilogy to one of the most expensive films made ever – RRR, Rajamouli, remains a relentless storyteller, who spans a brazen world of hyper-heroism soaked in emotions, full of eternal love and the divine justice to culminate this all.
Let me tell you about RRR. Apparently, the film which is made on a budget of Rs 400 crore, took 5 years in making, is a fictional tale of two real freedom fighters – Alluri Sita Ram Raju & Komaram Bheema played by two mavin heroes – Ram Charan & Jr NTR respectively. But, the film is not about patriotism. It is about these two friends and their brutal bromance. It is about their mountain of strength and insane ability to sacrifice for each other.
Of course, the premise of the film is set in India of 1920, and the atyachaar of goras on us Indians – the brown ambushed race, as mentioned in the film. The story starts with a tribal girl – Malli -being bought by General Scott & Lady Scott, for just 2 aanaas. It is here, we get the first glimpse of deafening action sequences in store for us, when the mother of this girl is hit-hard in the head with a tree branch, at the behest of General Scott. He commands so since Scott values the cost of a single bullet, much more than the life of an Indian.
The story moves to Delhi, where Alluri Raju is a loyal sipahi in the British troupe. He would fight a mob of more than 2000 Indians, only to get that one rebel to kneel on his knees, in front of his British general. Of course, there’s a hidden motive behind this undaunting loyalty.
Bheema’s entry scene is as magnanimous as the scale of the film. Bheema comes to Delhi, in disguise, looking for his sister Malli. Eventually, the two heroes become friends in the daring Rajamouli style, followed by the popular Natu-Natu (Nacho-Nacho in Hindi) number, which is a true delight to watch on the big screen.
Interestingly the storyline doesn’t let you lose even after the interval. With Ajay Devgn & Alia Bhatt’s part, the story gets even more engaging. In a run-time of 3hrs 6 mins, I got goose-bumps 5 times and cried thrice. There’s a lot of loud head-bashing and all sorts of beating in the film. But this is what Bollywood has forgotten and the Southern film industry does it with aplomb. They create these demi-gods on screen, which spikes the adrenaline for good.
Even the dramatic entry of furious animals like lions, tigers and wolves, to free Malli, at General Scott’s residence, feels in sync with the magnificence of the film. While Alluri & Bheema traverses between love and hate emotions for each other. The climax brings them together as Lord Ram and Bheem to avenge the dominance of General Scott. Much like other works of Rajamaoulli, RRR is a heterogeneous mix of different genres like fantasy, thriller, mythology and romance.
It is Rajamouli’s sheer passion for perfection in every frame, that films like Bahubali and RRR, are not considered regional cinema anymore. It’s one big film industry ready to rake in crores. The industry is expecting around Rs 150 crore gross opening from all languages, just in India.
If you love Sholay..
If you watched the Bahubali Trilogy,
If you enjoyed the Southern Spice in Pushpa… This is one definitely for you!!
Star Rating: 4 Popcorn stars !!