Rise, Roar, Revolt… RRR by SS Rajamouli is one of the most awaited pan-India epic. The film picks two historical figures, Komaram Bheem played by Jr NTR and Alluri Sitarama Raju played by Ram Charan from the Indian Independence movement and tells a fictional story about the revolutionaries. The film also stars Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt and Shriya Saran in pivotal cameos. As this epic pre-partition drama faces several rounds of delays because of the pandemic, the eager cast of the film waits with bated breaths for the grand theatrical release. The strenuous shooting, long post-production hours and this extended period of promotion has given the actors a lot of time to reflect on their film. Known as the megastar and power star across India, Jr NTR and Ram Charan carry an air of calm and humility with them despite their crazy fan following and the impeccable body of work. Here they take us through the mindscape of their director SS Rajamouli and the effortless camaraderie they share on and off the screen. Excerpts…
How is Mumbai treating you?
Ram Charan: Fabulous.
NTR: Fabulous indeed. Mumbai has never been an alien space for us. We come here quite a bit. Mumbai is fantastic.
When you walk into the set of a Rajamouli film, do you have some sense of inhibition or is it game face from shot one?
N: Its game on from shot one.
R: Shot one, we’re at home. We walk onto the sets and we know everybody.
N: (Laughs) Yeah, we’re on a marathon run from the beginning and there are no inhibitions. Rajamouli makes sure there are no inhibitions. Everything is laid out crystal clear for the actor. No inhibitions at all.
How strenuous is pre-production as compared to going on sets?
N: See the preparation is also equally very important for an actor, especially when you’re being a part of a movie like RRR, also when you’re being directed by Rajamouli himself. Yes, it is very strenuous for sure. It involves more of your mental strength but there’s a physical aspect too which you have to master. He makes sure you’re at your peak in all aspects.
R: He is one of the few directors who enjoys the hard work.
N: And the process…
R: And he knows that it will pay off so yeah…
Do you think the inclusion of two actors from the Hindi film fraternity adds the pan-India stature to your film?
N: Rajamouli always says that it’s always the story that is paramount for him, and not the marketing. It’s him and his story first. In the later stages, yes marketing strategies and blah blah blah comes in. But it’s his story and his characters and his main star cast that cement his products together.
Was there some sort of a learning-unlearning process involved? You know as a duo and as individuals?
N: Every movie you learn something and you get out, but when you are stepping into a new project, especially with Rajamouli, it’s better to unlearn everything and then get into it with a fresh slate.
R: Absolutely. You undo a lot. You have to. It’s better for your growth as an actor.
What about trusting your co-star and having faith? Was there ever friction on-set or off-set?
R: Never. I think we were only complimenting each other
N: Yes! Absolutely.
R: We just do what is required. Rajamouli is so particular that he makes us do exactly what is required. We are in a very comfortable space working with him. The actors are always complimenting each other.
N: I think in general also, Rajamouli has always made his actors complement each other because you are working towards a vision, there is no personal interest there. It’s the product that has to shine so we never had that friction, never.
Do you recall the moment where you realised you’re living a historical character?
R: (Laughs) Yes, I realised it on day one. Rajamouli isn’t going to give you a day or a schedule to get into your character. You better realise that from day one itself.
N: The sooner you realise, the better it is for you.
R: NTR is an experienced actor, and I too have done a couple of films and I know how to get into roles, especially when you have a director like Rajamouli.
N: Yes… Like he takes you through a lot of things during the preparation stage itself, you know, so it makes it easier for the actor.
What was the hardest part of playing Bheem and Ram in the film?
R: Playing Bheem and Ram was very hard. To an outsider it looks so easy, effortless and seamless, but there is a lot of preparation which has gone into the characters.
N: Though the film is fictional, it’s based on the legend surrounding them. Their vision for fighting against the British. It was a challenge to get that right.
R: Yeah that was a responsibility.
N: But as the movie is fictional, that did make it a bit easier.
What kind of research goes into your characters as an actor?
N: Rajamouli did the research for us.
R: And we have to be equipped, mentally, to understand the research.
N: It’s his vision and the less you put in your inputs, the better it is. We just trusted his judgement and went with the flow.
R: It was a smooth ride throughout.
Are you relieved that it is releasing in theatres, and hoping that it will reach 100 per cent occupancy in the coming days?
R: Absolutely. Fingers crossed for that.
N: And we have to be positive about that. I mean that is what we have been hoping for these past two years. Positivity is the key. We have been positive about the pandemic, what drove us was our positivity.
R: Sooryavanshi did so well despite the 50 per cent occupancy. So just imagine…
N: Yeah, just imagine. Every film that is doing well is bringing our audience back to the theatres. Every seat, every head counts. So everyone is doing their job and we hope even RRR will do its job.
R: The tag is also bringing back the glory of Indian cinema so we hope that happens. Is there this pressure or burden on your shoulders, because it is already being called a blockbuster as soon as people saw the trailer
R: We don’t feel any pressure.
N: No pressure. Absolutely not.
R: We have done our job; we are satisfied with our work and we have given our best.
N: Our director is satisfied for sure. We are just waiting for the people to watch it and give their verdict. We just want the movie to get out to the theatres because we have been holding onto it for quite a long time, almost three-and-a-half years, so yeah, we are just waiting for it to be there in theatres and can’t wait for people to watch it.
What’s your New Year’s Resolution?
R: Resolution… I think my resolution will be to see cinema theatres with 100 per cent occupancy, this is my resolution. I have no other personal resolutions. That is my biggest resolution. My wish and pray to God that this happens and to bring back all the livelihoods that were lost during this pandemic.
N: I don’t believe in resolutions…Yeah, but they are meant to be broken, so what are you looking forward to?
N: I’m looking forward for the pandemic to end. Everyone is hurt, everyone has suffered. The entire movie industry has taken a toll. I hope everything gets back to normal soon and the Indian film industry keeps on rising up and up.
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