SS Rajamouli's 'RRR' continues to captivate audiences worldwide, solidifying its place as a global favorite despite varied opinions on its ranking within the director's filmography. The emotional core of the film, rooted in the powerful friendship between Ram Charan's and Jr NTR's characters, remains a key element that draws viewers in.
Jr NTR's Introduction Scene: A Technical Marvel
Among the film's many memorable moments, Jr NTR's introduction as Bheem in the forest sequence stands out as one of the most visually striking. Director SS Rajamouli once shared insights into how this magnificent scene was brought to life during a 2023 session organized by the Hollywood Critics Association.
As quoted by OTT Play, Rajamouli discussed his long-standing collaboration with cinematographer K. K. Senthil Kumar, noting, "This is my eighth film with him. We have a great understanding of how to deal with this stuff."
Rajamouli explained that the jungle sequence presented major logistical challenges, particularly in capturing continuous motion alongside Jr NTR's run. He elaborated: "When Bheem was running in the jungle, the camera was parallelly going through. There was no way we could put a vehicle. A parkour artist was holding the camera and running. Initially, we tested it with a fighter. The fighters are obviously agile and quite faster. The parkour artist thought if I can run keep up with the stunt guys, I can definitely run along with the actor. Because usually, the actors are not as strong as the stunt guys."
NTR's Speed Pushes Camera Operator to the Limit
The director further shared how the rehearsal changed expectations due to Jr NTR's remarkable speed and stamina. "In one rehearsal, the way NTR ran, the camera had to pan and catch him from behind. I remember the expression on that guy's face. He said, 'ok, I got to put back my running shoes on.' He had to really, really run fast to catch up with him," Rajamouli added.
Jr NTR's physical transformation for the role was achieved through intense training under celebrity fitness coach Lloyd Stevens, contributing to his powerful on-screen presence.
Rajamouli Praises Cast Dedication and 'RRR' Legacy
Opening up about the overall production of the film, Rajamouli expressed deep appreciation for his lead actors and their commitment to performing their own stunts. "I'm lucky to get my principal actors — Ram Charan and Jr NTR. They both are very good actors, and dancers, they do all the stunts for themselves. I hardly used body doubles for 3 or 4 shots maximum. Rest every shot was performed by them. They are very good and very committed. Even if it's a small role, Alia Bhatt, who plays Sita, has a beautiful expression. All the cast were fantastic in their performances. Of all the 12 films I have done so far, I think the best performances I have had is from RRR," he said.
From Jr NTR's introduction sequence to Ram Charan's single-man fight scene, Ajay Devgn's elevation sequence, and many more, 'RRR' is a complete package and a guidebook on how to create mass cinema.
