The way I make movies won't change if RRR wins an Oscar: SS Rajamouli

Although SS Rajamouli was confident that winning the Oscar would significantly boost morale for both the country and the RRR unit, he was certain that it wouldn't affect the way he makes movies.

Ram Charan, SS Rajamouli and Jr NTR

The Film Federation of India decided not to submit SS Rajamouli's RRR for the 95th Academy Awards in the category of Best International Feature Film on Tuesday. The official entry for India is the semi-autobiographical Gujarati drama Chhello Show (Last Film Show) by Pan Nalin. Not everything is lost, though, as it appears that RRR will still be able to perform at the Oscars.

RRR's Oscar campaign is far from over, according to Variance Films president Dylan Marchetti, who has been leading the charge for the movie in the United States. “I don’t think RRR is the best movie from India this year. It’s the best movie in the world this year. We’re going to conduct ourselves accordingly.”

RRR still has a chance to be nominated for Best Picture even though it cannot compete for the Best International Feature Film honour.

Marchetti noted that the movie has a chance to be nominated for Best Original Song, Direction, Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Editing, and other awards. “Right now, our priority is encouraging voters to watch the movie on a widescreen the way Rajamouli intended. I do believe that this movie benefits from the energy that a crowd gives it, but it is fantastic anywhere you see it.”

Rajamouli discussed the Oscar campaign with IndieWire during the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month.

“I have never thought about this process; I have no idea what it entails. I'm not sure how everything operates. Winning an Oscar is a huge deal for an Indian director. We have, however, only occasionally had the opportunity to be nominated. Everything that has occurred with RRR thus far has been entirely organic, and that has inspired us to continue.”

Rajamouli went on to say, “Whether or if RRR receives an Oscar, my plans for the following movie won't change. The Oscar will be a great morale booster for the country and the (film) unit, but it won't change the way I operate. I have to keep developing as a filmmaker. I need to improve my storytelling equipment. On the side, that goes. There will be no change in what I want to say or how I want to say it.”

Rajamouli's next project is with Mahesh Babu and is being produced by KL Narayana.

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