RRR—Behind & Beyond is enthralling story on classic film and its glories

- ADVERTISEMENT -

With the Bahubali franchise, S.S. Rajamouli did not know that he was going to make the highest-ever grosser in Indian cinema at the time and a cult classic. I guess that when he made RRR half-a-decade and more later, he decided to at least film its making and get ‘bytes’ from his cast and crew on (video) record. Again, he could not have possibly visualized the global glories RRR would achieve, and in much more than the commercial sense.

And intelligently, the master-filmmaker also added the global fame that came his way and then formulated the classic BTS (behind the scenes) journey and the awards RRR won abroad into this fascinating narration.

One small grouse: though we are aware of our popular awards’ far-lesser credibility, Rajamouli could have still at least enumerated the credible National wins, like M.M. Keeravani (his cousin, who he terms his “brother”) winning for the stunning background score.

- ADVERTISEMENT -

Nevertheless, the 1.38 hours documentary makes for an awe-inspiring look at how many aspects of the immortal movie were conceived, ideated and executed. Intricate details abound and I was personally also awed by the way the various cameras were hand-held and the VFX done with the help of everything from cables to miniatures and props representing a tiger and more.

Descriptions of how difficult things became in Ukraine (for example) during Covid, and also how Rajamouli’s team members (some of whom did not speak a word of English!) communicated with foreign counterparts and artistes also made for specially riveting accounts.

And last but not least, I have always considered myself an audience member first and then a film reviewer but never a film ‘critic’. And though this is not the first time I have watched a documentary on the making of a film, it re-bonded (so to speak) within me the axiom that while audiences (especially since the last decade when they have developed an obsession for a film’s collections rather than calibre!!) can dismiss a film on-spot, they fail to see how much hard work and cerebral effort goes into even the most minor aspects and nuances.

Rama Rajamouli (costume designer)’s insights into why certain costumes were chosen and the contributions here of writer V. Vijayendra Prasad (Rajamouli’s father), Sabu Cyril (production designer), A. Sreekar Prasad (editor), K.K. Senthil Kumar (cinematographer) and many more all create an intriguing build-up of why this ultimate quasi-masterpiece became one.

M.M. Keeravani’s inputs into how he thought of the song compositions and background pieces are also awesome to say the least, and speak for his monumental talent and versatility. The actors, especially Ram Charan and NTR  Jr,, apart from the expected raves about their director, show why their chemistry worked and their rapport that fostered it and added so much to the film.

What remains with me are, especially, the foreign artistes’ opinion on our master director, and the way the Komurum bheemodu song was filmed, the train falling off the bridge sequence, the pre-interval wild animal segment and how the now world-famous Naatu naatu song was planned and visualized before filming.

As for the ‘Beyond’ segment, it simply underscored the immense humility and grounded nature of a maestro of commercial cinema: for Rajamouli, children in particular and the audience in general are like God, and the way he eulogized his team members stands testimony to why he will never direct a flop! There are clips from the foreign glories that the film deservingly won, the audiences cheering and dancing in the aisles, the houseful shows, and even American singer and songwriter Richard Carpenter’s tribute to the genius of the Indian composer.

And my chest swelled as I realized that this is Indian cinema and filmmaking, not the arty movies that claim to be realistic and rooted and win nondescript recognition in equally pseudo film festivals across the globe!!

All in all, it was like revisiting the classic again, and now, the greatest triumph of RRR—Behind & Beyond is that it wants me to go back to the film again and watch the results of all the great work again.

Netflix presents RRR—Behind & Beyond Featuring the RRR cast & crew

Related posts:

India’s Golden Run at Oscars: RRR, The Elephant Whisperers roar with victory SS Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’ makes history, picks up two Golden Globe nominations Oscars for India—The Reactions Film Review: RRR is a critic-proof extravaganza