A few minutes into the docu-film Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli, producer-director Karan Johar declares that in contemporary Indian cinema, there is no bigger filmmaker than Rajamouli. The docu-film directed by Raghav Khanna, now streaming on Netflix, ushers viewers into the happenings on the sidelines of the screening of RRR (Rise, Roar, Revolt) at TCL Chinese Theatre, Los Angeles, where the audience cheers the larger-than-life entertainment, as Rajamouli and others take in the reactions. A screening of RRR in Tokyo, Japan, elicits similar euphoria. The documentary retraces the journey of Rajamouli, whose films Baahubali and RRR are globally celebrated, to understand what made him the most popular Indian showman of our times.
For those who have closely followed Telugu cinema and the rise of Rajamouli, some of the interviews featured in the documentary might seem familiar, yet there is enough to chew on. Some insights from actors Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, NTR and Ram Charan reveal how much attention to details matters for Rajamouli.
NTR describes Rajamouli as a born storyteller while Ram Charan says that there are times when he views a Rajamouli film like a third person would be shocked seeing someone act that way. This includes such words as NTR who calls him an innate narrator or Ram Charan who states that sometimes he watches his father’s works from a distance with awe even if he happens to be part of it.
The writer provides an account of how she met her husband when they were both working for The Washington Post. It examines specific lessons learnt from having access to multiple data sources which include individuals’ DNA profiles.
Modern Masters is produced by Applause Entertainment and Film Companion Studios has film journalist and critic Anupama Chopra interviewing Rajamouli in Los Angeles and Tokyo trying to explore his mindset. But if you ask him about being called India’s James Cameron or anything else, Rajamouli will tell you that he is a slave to storytelling. Yet the mentioned documentary can feature James Cameron talking of Rajamouli.
Director: Raghav Khanna
Cast: SS Rajamouli, James Cameron, Prabhas, Ram Charan and Jr NTR
Runtime: 74 minutes
Storyline: A documentary on revolutionary filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli’s journey from ‘Student No. 1’ to ‘RRR’
The documentary retraces Rajamouli’s journey from Kovvuru in Andhra Pradesh. Interviews with his family members including father and screenwriter Vijayendra Prasad and older cousin and music composer M.M Keeravani offer insights into the director’s formative years. Unseen pictures of early days of Rajamouli’s life are interspersed with stories about how he grew up as a storyteller.
The backdrop for introducing us to the beginnings of composer Keeravani and actor NTR Jr., in student number one (2001), Rajamouli’s first feature film, serves as the director’s entry into entertainment industry from directing television serial Santhi Nivasam (1999).
The documentary scores by weaving together the personal and professional stories of Rajamouli and his family members many of whom have taken on varied responsibilities in filmmaking. Modern Masters tries to understand what it entails for all the family members to work together. A few lesser-known details also come to the fore. Rajamouli’s courtship with his wife Rama, bond with Srivalli who he calls sister-in-law but she is motherly figure for them and funny moments during a joint trip make it less dry than normal documentaries about directors’ lives that one might see elsewhere.
Modern Masters, while celebrating Rajamouli does not shy away from talking about difficult issues. How do members of his family cope with the fact that he is an atheist? What does Rajamouli say about criticism of casteism in Baahubali or the depiction of love between Shivudu (Prabhas) and Avantika (Tamannaah Bhatia)?
Fun moments are captured behind the scenes when watching Magadheera, Baahubali and RRR where Rajamouli acts both emotional and action scenes while flying in harnesses. Also, there are some bits of information. Do you know that Magadheera (2009) became the first Telugu film to have a visual effects supervisor cited in its title credits?
The fact that this docu-film takes on more than just addressing how grand Rajamouli’s movies are but also how he understands cinema rules only to break them is displayed through it. An illustration can be taken from a scene in Eega. In addition, this anecdote reveals why other film industry players who try matching his scale and vision always fall short – they don’t create narratives that emotionally connect with viewers.
This hour 14 minute movie basically introduces Rajamouli as well as some of his best films including Magadheera, Eega, Baahubali and RRR but neglects other top grosser Telugu hits such as Yamadonga, Chatrapathi or Vikramarkudu. Maybe there should have been a fleeting reference to these movies at least; after all it cannot go unmentioned that this director has never had one box office flop for a better understanding into what makes him successful throughout.
