Hello everyone. This is my first post here on the Hive Learners community. I hope everyone enjoys it. Thank you.
The film Baahubali: The Conclusion, directed by S. S. Rajamouli, wowed audiences the last time it was released in 2017. It took him a long time of 5 years to conceive, shoot and bring it to the silver screen for his next film RRR. Pulling off a multi-starrer with Jr NTR and Ram Charan in lead roles can seem like an achievement in itself. But when it comes to story, Rajamouli manages to do anything.
RRR is set in the 1920s and revolves around the lives of two revolutionaries - Alluri Sitarama Raju who launched an armed campaign against the British and Komaram Bheem, a tribal from the Gond tribe who fought against the tyranny of his people. There is no historical evidence to show that the two ever met or fought together, but Rajamouli re-imagined history and a story was woven around their meeting.
RRR runs on a relatively simple premise. There is 'Aag' - an angry, young police officer Ramaraju (Ram Charan) who is both respected and feared by the British. They have done everything they can over the years, he is the one they want to hold and yet, he is the one who has never been respected enough because of the color of his skin. Then there is 'Pani' - the sweet, simple, innocent Bheem (Junior NTR) who has brute force but uses it only when it serves his purpose. He is a Gond tribesman who has come to town to rescue a young girl named Malli, who was taken in by Lady Scott (Alison Doody), a singing doll. However, this is merely the start of the story.
Rajamouli's new calling card seems to be creating a new world. Because, despite being based on two chroniclers of history, RRR has a story that is completely fictional. The Delhi of the 1920s became his new canvas. Bhima must have fought so much against the Nizams that it became imperative for one of them to warn the British that he should not be taken lightly. But they also get the refuge of Muslims in Delhi. Ramaraju may seem like a well-trained soldier who will blindly follow instructions, but it seems that his past is known to none other than his uncle (Samuthirakani). Scott (Ray Stevenson) believes “Brown” deserves even a bullet wasted on him, but Jennifer (Olivia Morris) seems more sympathetic. It's not the freedom movement where you turn the other cheek, it's where you use your hands as a weapon.
The first half of RRR goes on like clockwork. Malli has an emotional core, sings and dances with Naatu Naatu (This Will Make You Smile) and explores friendship through friendship, even laughs a few times whenever Bheem tries to befriend Jennifer. Comes. Cinematic liberties are taken, but they don't seem as noticeable as in the later parts, where the film falters a bit. The way Ramaraju's fiancée Sita (Alia Bhatt) is weaved into the story, apart from the transformation of Ram Charan into another form, is also forced into a story that was smooth sailing. The way Bheem is set up effortlessly despite nothing being told, the way Ramaraju's story unfolds feels tense. Leaves more to be desired. However, the good thing is that the film manages to surprise you. Rajamouli cleverly uses some of the tropes established in the early parts of the film in the later parts.
At least Rajamouli manages to deliver something that people have been yearning for – a commercial, action drama that will totally entertain you – which it does. Due to the tight screenplay, the length also does not prove to be a deterrent. VFX could have been better in some parts. Jr NTR gave the best performance of his career. He is charming as Bheem, especially in the emotional bits and his desperation to find Malli goes well, so is his love for Ramaraju. Ram Charan also does well, putting the soul into the changes his character goes through. The roles of Tarak and Charan require chemistry, which they do. Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris, Samuthirakani, Ajay Devgn, Shriya Saran and others have played their roles well. Olivia in particular manages to win over your heart. Alison and Ray wind through their roles. Keerwani's OST for the film may not be for everyone but he does well with BGM. Senthil's camerawork is also commendable.
RRR is made to be watched on the big screen. The cinematography and visual aesthetics paint every frame brilliantly. Rajamouli is now expected to make a splash. The background score oozes with relentless urgency and repetition, unapologetically melodramatic and striking in itself. It stuns us in submission but as the tempo falters a bit after the interval, the joy wanes.
RRR is perfection anyhow because the way Rajamouli pulls off some scenes, you wonder if he could have done a better job in others. But watch it this weekend if you are craving for a good action packed drama. Especially if you're a fan of the lead pair.