PremiumHappy birthday SS Rajamouli: 5 top films of the director to watch on OTT beyond RRR, Baahubali
Here’s a look at the best works in filmmaker’s career before his pan-Indian fame
Last Updated: 01.18 PM, Oct 10, 2023
SS Rajamouli, who began his career by assisting the thespian K Raghavendra Rao in the 1990s, used television as an avenue to pave the way to his big-screen dreams. He is among the rarest of filmmakers in Telugu cinema with a 100% success record and his quest to better himself with every film has inspired many. On his birthday, we look at 5 notable films in his career beyond RRR, Baahubali.
Eega
Easily the most imaginative, innovative film in the career of the filmmaker, SS Rajamouli gave a spin to vengeance by telling the story through the lens of a jolted lover, who’s reborn as a fly. Sudeep and Samantha’s assured performances are complemented by the gripping narrative and the fantastic VFX/CGI work.
Platform: Netflix
Also read: SS Rajamouli on RRR: For Jr NTR's intro scene, I wanted someone who was more powerful than a tiger
Maryada Ramanna
A small-budget wonder that came as a surprise from Rajamouli after a biggie like Magadheera, the rural drama showcases the storyteller’s attention to detail and his ability to build a great screenplay out of a wafer-thin premise. It laid the foundation for Sunil’s stint as a lead, gave a major break for Nagineedu as an actor. Saloni is an absolute delight to watch with a sensitive performance.
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Chatrapathi
If Prabhas is hailed as an actor star today, a major chunk of the credit must go to SS Rajamouli, who truly tapped into his potential as a performer with an emotional action drama. The film also starring Shriya Saran, Bhanupriya, Shafi, is a throwback to the lost-and-found formula, popular in Hindi cinema in the 70s.
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar
Vikramarkudu
Two look alikes in contrasting worlds with different characterisation, united by a purpose - Vikramarkudu is a hugely entertaining, albeit a loud, mass cocktail with a super-charged Ravi Teja and a ravishing Anushka Shetty. MM Keeravaani’s music and the action choreography contributed to its popularity.
Platform: Amazon Prime Video
Magadheera
In retrospect, Magadheera was a stepping stone that gave SS Rajamouli the confidence to conceive a film like Baahubali or an RRR. With a simple story of two lovers reuniting many centuries later, the filmmaker created a compelling blend of fantasy, humour and action loved by kids and adults alike.
Platform: Youtube