FILMMAKER SS RAJAMOULI ON HIS BAAHUBALI SUCCESS AND WHY HE FEELS CONFIDENT ABOUT HIS NEXT FILM
IN TERMS of size, scale and stars, the film with working title RRR is the biggest Indian cinematic release of 2020.
The next film from Baahubali director SS Rajamouli stars NTR Jr., Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn and a host of international actors. The film is due for release on July 30 in 10 languages. The mega budget movie is shrouded in secrecy and marks the next remarkable chapter of a filmmaker who helped change the face of Indian cinema.
Eastern Eye caught up with SS Rajamouli in London to talk about his Baahubali adventure and plans ahead.
When you first started this journey with Baahubali did you imagine it would be so big?
Yes, we definitely imagined it would be big, but this big, no. We didn’t know that this big existed, so at the beginning of the journey we just went as big as our imagination went and then it went beyond that.
When you were making the two Baahubali films did you feel any pressure as it got bigger and bigger?
This is a question that has been asked to me many times, and now, when I look back, I feel there was no time to feel the pressure, Asjad, because we were working so much – morning till evening until we fell asleep – so there was no time to feel any pressure. The constant thought as a collective was ‘we have to get the job done’. The pressure of getting the job done was there. The pressure of thinking of this film is going to do was not there because we didn’t have that time to feel it.
What was your favourite moment in the Baahubali journey?
There have been so many memorable moments on this journey with both films. One thing that comes to my mind was when we finished the first part’s war – we shot for it for two and a half months. When we finally finished those big war sequences, we were amazed that we were able to do this, ‘is that we who completed this massive epic moment?’ That feeling is something I remember always.
You have also put South Indian cinema on the global map. That must be a matter of pride for you?
Yes, we are very proud of that. I don’t look at other film industries, including Hindi as a competition. I feel every area makes good and bad cinema. You feel bad when your good film is not recognised, or if a good work is called just a Bollywood film or something like that. You feel like ‘why am I not being recognised?’ I am talking on behalf of everyone. So after Baahubali when everyone says, ‘Oh, this is not a Bollywood film and a South Indian film’, it feels really great.
Do you feel any pressure for RRR?
No not at all. I know that I have a great subject on my hand with lots of emotions and am working with great actors. With good actors, a good story and good production values, we can cross any barriers because it has already been done before (with Baahubali) so I don’t feel it.
What can you tell us about the highly anticipated film?
It is not a top secret or anything. We just want to reveal the details in a proper manner. That is the reason why I don’t give out too many details.
Has the way you make films now changed and are you looking at even bigger scales?
The way I make films is still the same. I have always looked at bigger scales. Baahubali is not the end of the road for me. Baahubali is just part of the journey for me. I will be looking at bigger films.
Prabhas told me you are super chilled out despite working in a high-pressure environment, what keeps you so chilled out?
My family. If I try to show any kind of air, I have my wife, my brother, my sister-in-law, and everyone else, to give a rap on my head and say, ‘stay grounded’.
What inspires you?
The stories of India inspire me.
A scene from The Thursday Murder Club, where four retirees turn amateur detectives in a quiet British village shaken by a real murderInstagram/NetflixUK
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Stills from Andaz Apna Apna
Vinay Kumar Sinha
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.