The RRR Story

Prepare yourself for a cinematic wonder that has redefined Indian cinema. RRR, a historical fiction tour de force from visionary SS Rajamouli, offers it all - unmatched action, stunning visuals, and an all-star cast. What is the story behind the monumental success of RRR, which has reshaped Indian cinema?

RRR Movie Poster | Source: IMDB

"Chup chup ke darr darr ke nahi, saamne se war karna hoga."

This iconic line from the movie RRR is hard to forget. If you haven't heard of RRR, you are missing out on one of the most groundbreaking movies ever produced in South India. Directed by SS Rajamouli, the visionary behind the Baahubali series, RRR is a historical fiction that narrates the story of two legendary freedom fighters of India, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem.

Packed with action, engaging dialogues, and a compelling storyline, the film “make(s) the screen hum with energy in this Rajamouli’s action epic,” as quoted by The New York Times. RRR is not just a movie, it's a phenomenon. The film has been dubbed the greatest South Indian movie ever produced. Its immense success, shattering box office records, critical acclaim, captivating visuals, and stellar performances make it one of India's most successful movies. Cutting-edge technology was employed, and the addition of visual effects created a realistic and immersive experience for the viewers. Unsurprisingly, the audience adored it.

RRR has left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry. It made history as the first Telugu film (and the third Indian film) to be nominated at the prestigious Golden Globe Awards, bagging two nominations - Best Foreign Language Film and Best Original Song for Naatu Naatu, which also won the 95th Academy Award for Best Original Song, making it the first Indian song to achieve this feat.

But how did RRR come into being? How did Rajamouli create this masterpiece that redefined Indian cinema? Let's trace the epic journey of RRR, from inception to completion, in a segment titled RRR: Rewind, Revisit, and Retrospect.

The concept for RRR was born in 2017. After the success of Bahubali 2, Rajamouli was looking for a new project. He decided to tell the story of Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, the two tribal leaders who fought for their people's rights and dignity against oppressive regimes. He imagined them as childhood friends who reunited after years of fighting for freedom.

Rajamouli explains this in his own words:

“When I read about Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, it was exciting to know that their story is similar. They never met each other. What if they had met? What if they had got inspired by each other? That is what RRR is about”

The scale of the movie was massive, with a star-studded cast and a budget estimated at around 550 crores. RRR became one of the most expensive films ever made in India.

The cast included Telugu cinema's biggest stars, Ram Charan and Jr NTR, Bollywood actors Alia Bhatt and Ajay Devgn, and Hollywood actors Olivia Morris and Ray Stevenson. Shooting began in November 2018 and lasted almost three years, facing numerous challenges like injuries to actors, weather conditions, pandemic restrictions, and technical issues. Despite these hurdles, Rajmouli ensured that the quality of the film was not compromised. He showed his brilliance as a director through his creativity and perseverance.

The title, RRR, originated from a social media post by Rajamouli. In November 2017, he posted a photo along with N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan. The post featured the acronyms of Rama Rao, Ram Charan, and Rajamouli. The fans took it as the title of the movie and their response was so massive that the acronym was kept as the title.

Interestingly, RRR has two full forms - Roudram Ranam Rudhiram in Telugu and Rise Roar Revolt in Hindi and English.

Post-production was completed by October 2021, and the film was released on 25 March 2022. The direction, screenplay, cinematography, music, action sequences, and performances received high praise from critics and audiences alike.

Looking back, RRR is a milestone for Indian cinema. The film proves that Indian filmmakers can produce world-class films that can compete with Hollywood in terms of scale, quality, and appeal. It inspires millions of Indians to learn more about their history and culture and to celebrate their heroes and legends. RRR is a tribute to the spirit of freedom and resistance that lives on in every Indian.