Speaking to a group of journalists at a screening of RRR in the United States, Rajamouli made the difference between Bollywood and Telugu cinema while talking about the role of songs in his film.
Not a Bollywood film
During RRR’s award campaign, SS Rajamouli recently attended a screening of the film at the Directors Guild of America. And a clip from Rajamouli’s interaction with journalists before the screening is currently going viral on the internet.
In the clip, the filmmaker is heard saying RRR is “not a Bollywood film, it is a Telugu film from the south of India where I come from”.
While speaking about songs and fight scenes in Indian movies, Rajamouli said, “RRR is not a Bollywood film, it is a Telugu film from the south of India where I come from, but I use the song to move the story forward rather than stopping the film and giving you a piece of music and dance. I just use those elements to move the story forward.”
He added, “At the end of the film, if you say I didn’t feel it like for three hours, then I know I am a successful filmmaker.”
Hahahaha….. Even South industry distances itself from Anti-hindu/Anti-national Gutter called Bollywood.
SS Rajamouli on world stage… This is not a Bollywood move, this is Telgu movie from South India. ??#BuycottBollywood pic.twitter.com/eUXEajNy7e— Mahakaal (@Mahakaa61950519) January 14, 2023
Netizens react
Rajamouli’s comments, which were posted on Twitter, kept netizens with divided opinions. One user commented, “RRR is nominated from India. Not south India or Telugu (cinema). Do not (be) biased about region or language. Also, Bollywood, not a film industry represents India.”
He always maintained its indian cinema but people kept saying bollywood since he's from India so he's trying to clarify the origin. I wonder who came up with the term bollywood and other woods lol
— KryptoKa$h (@TheFexception) January 15, 2023
He could’ve said it’s an Indian film.. instead of south of India..
Of course no one wants to be connected to Bollywood though ..— Tee ?? (@tee2799) January 15, 2023
The second one wrote in response, “Why are you expecting all the movies from India to be portrayed as Bollywood?”
By that logic even brahmastra is also a telugu movie since it has "nagarjuna" in it. And also RRR is a hollywood film as it has westerners/britishers in it???
— Vijay (@ImplicitHybrid) January 15, 2023
Bollywood doesn’t represent entire Indian cinema, it’s an industry from another region. So, nothing wrong in calling for actual region name.
It’s valid to make it sensational, if he had said it wasn’t Indian movie.— BhanuPrakash (@bharathbkd) January 15, 2023
Meanwhile, some supported Rajamouli’s remark and said that Bollywood deserves it. A user said, “Bollywood deserves this insult.” Another wrote, “Yes. True. Bollywood makes Hindi movies. This is a regional film in the Telugu language. Shouldn’t regional movies get credit if they (are) good?”
We must say Thank you to him for this Bold Statement
— Indrajit (@Lotus_indrajit) January 15, 2023
Nothing wrong in saying so, infact it is tollywood movie. Should accept the fact clearly
— Puneeth (@pune269) January 15, 2023
He is absolutely right. You have any doubt? It’s first a Telugu film and then dubbed in other languages and Bollywood too.?
— vjkumar (@vjkumar23909939) January 15, 2023
But he is correct, it is not a Bollywood movie
Same way Lagan is not a telegu movie
Nothing controversial abt this
— Kunaldesai2001 (@Kunaldesai20011) January 15, 2023
Rajamouli is separating himself from Gutterwood/Dawoodwood Movies
— VNR (@FrankRa98758937) January 15, 2023
