SS Rajamouli gets candid ahead of Oscar nominations: ‘I make films for money, not for awards’

RRR director SS Rajamouli revealed his main motivation behind making larger-than-life movies. It's not for the critical acclaim but for the box office success.

By: Entertainment Desk

Bengaluru | January 20, 2023 12:37 PM IST

2 min read

SS Rajamouli clicked at the Golden Globes. (Photo: RRR/Instagram)

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Filmmaker SS Rajamouli is creating quite a buzz in Hollywood. His latest film RRR is expected to end the Oscar drought faced by India and bag a few Academy Awards nominations. The last Indian film to make it to the Oscar nominations was Aamir Khan-starrer Lagaan in 2001. While Rajamouli seems to be running a high-voltage campaign for RRR in Hollywood, he seemingly won’t be bent out of shape, should the film fail to get the nominations.

In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Rajamouli revealed his main motivation behind making larger-than-life movies. It’s not for the awards but for the box office success.

Also Read | SS Rajamouli says he was disappointed when Chhello Show was selected as India’s official entry to Oscars: ‘RRR had a much bigger chance’

“I make films for money, I make films for the audiences. I don’t make films for critical acclaim. RRR is a commercial film, and once my film commercially does well, I’m very happy. Awards are an extension to it. It is for the hard work that my unit put in and I’m happy for that,” he said.

In that case, Rajamaouli has exceeded expectations when it comes to RRR’s box office performance worldwide. While everyone knew that RRR would be a big hit in India, none saw the kind of splash it created in the West. The film’s organic reach in the US is nothing sort of phenomenal. RRR became a major contender in major award shows in the US, and it created history by winning a Golden Globe in the Best Original Song category for Naatu Naatu. Rajamouli has also been feted by major US publications and shows. The director was a guest on the popular late-night television, Late Night with Seth Meyers. And the film presented him with the opportunity to rub shoulders with several Hollywood giants, including James Cameron and Steven Spielberg.

Now all eyes are on the Oscar nominations, which will be announced on January 24.

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