JOIN US'RRR' movie review: A big-screen spectacle
RRR
Telugu (Theatres)
Director: S S Rajamouli
Cast: NTR Jr, Ram Charan, Alia Bhatt, Ajay Devgn
Rating: 3.5/5
If there is a director who is at the forefront of keeping the old-school ‘masala’ film-template alive, it is SS Rajamouli. He does it in his inimitable style in ‘RRR’ (Rise, Roar & Revolt). The movie is filled with whistle-worthy elevation scenes, jaw-dropping set pieces and emotional moments that hit the roof. As in all Rajamouli films, bigness has no limit in ‘RRR’.
The promotional videos of the film gave us an impression that it would bank on the often-tried theme of patriotism. ‘RRR’ is a patriotic film with a difference. It focuses on brotherhood and relationships as well.
Set in the pre-Independence era, the film is about Ramraju (Ram Charan) and Bheem (NTR Jr), who come from different worlds but eventually end up fighting for the same cause. Rajamouli blends the historical backdrop with mythology. He does that with such courage and conviction because of his unending, epic-like imagination.
The story in Rajamouli’s films, written by his father K V Vijayendra Prasad, isn’t rocket science or contemporary. His films are mainly fantasy tales. But where Rajamouli stands out is in the manner he presents them on the big screen.
He has pushed the envelope as far as the VFX and action sequences are concerned. You are left with one spectacle after the other and it’s a pure joy for those who found masala films to be jaded in recent times.
At three hours, the film is definitely exhaustive. ‘RRR’ is akin to a plate filled with more food than you can eat. The gifted Alia Bhatt, on the back of a powerhouse performance in ‘Gangubai Kathiawadi’, is terribly underutilised. And Rajamouli becomes a bit too self-indulgent as far as melodrama is concerned. The intense Ajay Devgn makes an impact.
The film belongs to Ram Charan and NTR Jr. Like the film’s concept , they make well-balanced fire and ice combo in performance though the latter wins it by a decent margin. The duo does justice to the director’s vision of the characters, who are initially as different as chalk and cheese.
MM Keeravani’s music is lifted by the visual richness (Senthil Kumar is the cinematographer). The idea, choreography, and the placement of the sensational hit ‘Naatu Naatu’ is simply brilliant .
It’s not easy to cast two superstars and give them equal screen space. We have seen directors botch up this job. Rajamouli has emerged winner in this task. He is a director who does full justice to his intentions with a film.
He is a master at churning out big-screen spectacles with emotional core. In ‘RRR’, the in-form filmmaker loads the gun, takes aim and hits the target.
Watch latest videos by DH here: