S.S. Rajamouli is a certified “Modern Master” according to Netflix.
The “RRR” filmmaker is at the center of the docu-film “Modern Masters: S.S. Rajamouli,” which charts his career spanning from Hyderabad to Hollywood. Raghav Khanna and Tanvi Ajinkya co-direct the documentary, which counts James Cameron among its interviewees.
The official synopsis reads: Over the years, the visionary S.S. Rajamouli has captivated millions with his iconic filmography. Quite extraordinarily, he did not attend film school or earn a college degree — instead, he learned storytelling through comic books. The fierce, world-famous characters of Rajamouli’s films, from “Eaga” to “RRR,” reflect the legendary director’s unparalleled vision. Not only have his characters made a global impact, but his songs have also made the world groove, earning international acclaim and setting new records in Indian cinema. From his childhood fascinations and family influences to moments of doubt and triumph, the documentary unveils the unseen, human side of the legend, allowing fans to truly get to know the man behind the camera.
Film critic and journalist Anupama Chopra hosts the film which was made in partnership with Netflix, Applause Entertainment, and Film Companion Studios.
“Storytelling is the heart of my existence — it’s what I am passionate about and will always continue to pursue. I am overwhelmed by the immense admiration and love that audiences have shown for my work,” S.S. Rajamouli said in a press statement. “It’s truly humbling to see Netflix, Applause Entertainment, and Film Companion Studios come together to share my story. This docu-film is a way of expressing gratitude to my fans and loved ones for being an integral part of my journey. Their support inspires me to keep creating and entertaining.”
Sameer Nair, Deepak Segal, and Anupama Chopra produce the documentary, with Arjun Mogre, Prasoon Garg, and Tanvi Ajinkya executive producing.
Rajamouli’s “RRR” reached unprecedented international crossover theatrical success, grossing as much as $150 million at the global box office since its March 2022 release. “RRR” is India’s third highest-grossing movie of all time and is the only non-English language film to trend globally for 10 consecutive weeks on Netflix.
Rajamouli had directed fantasy film “Baahubali: The Beginning” and sequel “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion,” both of which also made box office history at the time. His other films include “Magadheera,” “Maryada Ramanna,” and “Eega.” The director has been honored by the government of India with a Padma Shri, one of the nation’s highest civilian honors, for his contributions to Indian cinema, and won three National Film Awards.
Rajamouli announced a follow-up film in 2023. While Rajamouli teased a possible “RRR” sequel, he told IndieWire at the time, “For the past 25 years, I’ve made films in a certain way. But I’m quite curious. If there’s something I could learn from it, I would really like to work on a Hollywood production to learn the nuances of filmmaking there. Let’s see how it goes.”
“Modern Masters: S.S. Rajamouli” premieres August 2 on Netflix. Check out the trailer below.