While its chart-topping news has been making the rounds, not everyone has heard of Indian blockbuster RRR. Yet it’s earned international critical acclaim and recently opened in UK cinemas at second position after The Batman. The film’s impressive opening both demonstrates the appetite for Indian cinema in the UK, and the popularity of its award-winning star Ram Charan.
Directed by S.S. Rajamouli, RRR (meaning “Rise Roar Revolt”) is a period blockbuster set in British colonial India in the 1920s. Blending fact and fiction, the story takes inspiration from two revolutionaries and their fictional journey before they fight for their country. It deals with themes of love, loyalty, betrayal, brotherhood and throws epic action into the mix.
Alongside its UK success, it has become one of the highest-grossing films of the year so far, setting several other box office records for an Indian film in the process. And staying true to his star trajectory, Ram Charan will next collaborate with director Gowtam Tinnanuri for a new film with production house, UV Creations, the company responsible for several “Tollywood” (Telugu language) blockbusters such as “Mirchi” and “Run Raja Run”. He is also shooting a film by legendary Indian director S. Shanka and, since his star-making 2007 debut in “Chirutha”, he has become one of India’s most enduring stars. Not to be mistaken for its Bollywood counterpart, Telugu cinema, well known as the second-biggest film industry in India, recently claimed first place for box office returns in the region, the sign of more to come.
RRR (“Rise Roar Revolt”) is now in UK cinemas.
