Oscars season is upon us, and if you’re embarking on a watch (or rewatch) of the nominees, you might find it hard to skip over one in particular that will make your heart pump: “RRR”.
Set in 1920s India during the British Raj, it tells the fictionalised story of two real-life Indian revolutionary heroes: Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. While the two never actually met, director S S Rajamouli’s indulgent spectacle imagines what would happen if they had.
The story starts when British governor Scott Buxton (Ray Stevenson) visits a forest in Adilabad with his wife Catherine (Alison Doody) and abducts Malli, a girl from the Gond tribe.
Desperate to get Malli back, the tribe turns to their guardian Bheem (N T Rama Rao Jr), who embarks on a journey to Delhi under a false identity to find her.
There, he meets Raju (Ram Charan), and the two become fast friends after saving a boy from a bridge explosion. Unbeknownst to Bheem, Raju works for the Indian Imperial Police and has been tasked with tracking him down. Uh-oh!
While the two form an unlikely friendship, the audience is left wondering how they will deal with the inevitable fallout. It’s no spoiler to reveal there is emotional distraught, complete with anguished yells and wall-punching.
Fire and water
So, what makes “RRR” work? The obvious answer is the two charismatic leads and their friendship – the film’s central theme.
Played by two of the most well-known actors in Telugu-language cinema, Rama Rao and Charan have loads of chemistry, even as the movie drives home the point that they are on opposing sides by representing Bheem as water and Raju as fire.
The healthy display of emotions from both heroes is welcome: although they are portrayed as hyper-masculine and even superhuman at times, they, too, cry – imagine that! – when they are sad or overwhelmed.
The action scenes here are colourful and bold, shot with expertise and originality by Rajamouli. Even during intense fight scenes, you can see things in great detail and feel every punch dealt by the characters. No shaky cam here!
That said, as with many Tollywood titles, some suspension of disbelief is required as the leads defy physics, rivalling (or surpassing) the “Fast and Furious” films.
After all, this is a movie where one main character is introduced wrestling a tiger with his bare hands, while another fights a crowd of almost 1,000 and comes out relatively unscathed.
As for the villains, Stevenson and Doody play an almost cartoonish evil couple who aren’t easy to root against. At one point, Doody’s Catherine even produces a spiked whip to ensure greater suffering as her bloodlust is not satisfied during a public flogging.
On the romantic side, Bheem befriends Buxton’s niece Jenny (a charming Olivia Morris), and the scenes between them are cute despite the language barrier.
Alia Bhatt also plays her role of Raju’s fiancée Sita well, portraying with vulnerability and depth a determined woman who yearns for her lover’s return.
Action and actors aside, there are plenty of song-and-dance numbers that will make you smile or get emotional.
The standout, of course, is the Oscar-nominated “Naatu Naatu” – reportedly to be performed live during the ceremony on March 12 – where the leads perform heart-stopping choreography during a dance-off at a party.
Rise Roar Revolt
Rajamouli – already a renowned director in India and well on his way to becoming a household name globally if the Golden Globe, Critics’ Choice and upcoming Academy awards are any indicator – delivers a film that is spectacular and fun without losing heart.
Fun fact: he, Rama Rao and Ram Charan are a golden trio whose initials form the film’s title – a showcase of their star power (later named “Rise Roar Revolt” for more story-based meaning).
Overall, “RRR” is one of those films that stays with you long after the credits. Heck, the scene alone where Bheem leaps out of a lorry alongside a dozen (CGI) wild animals and goes on a rampage is worth your time.
‘RRR’ is streaming on Netflix.