I’m a novice in terms of Bollywood motion pictures, so I made a decision not too long ago to fireside up my Netflix subscription and watch the most well-liked Indian film on the streamer, RRR. The Telugu-language movie from 2022 is among the most profitable Indian motion pictures of all time, each on the Asian subcontinent and additional afield. It additionally received an Oscar for Finest Tune, so I believed this may be an effective way to dip my toe in some waters I’ve by no means taken a full swim in. The manufacturing is superb, however I discovered the story slightly arduous to comply with.
I’ll say that for anybody who loves motion pictures and is concerned about testing a Bollywood flick for the primary time, like me, I wholeheartedly advocate RRR. It’s a lengthy film, however nothing about it drags in any respect, and I promise it’s completely price your time. Additionally, simply to get this out of the way in which, RRR is technically a Tollywood film, which is totally different than conventional Bollywood, however for the sake of this text, I’m going to lump all Indian cinema into one bucket. Lower me some slack, I’m attempting to study new issues!
Indian Cinema Is A Thriller To Me
I’m an enormous film fan, and I’m fortunate sufficient to jot down about them for a residing, however I’ve by no means explored the world of Indian filmmaking. Seeing as the way it’s the second greatest studio system on the earth, I made a decision I wanted to start out dabbling in it. I do know slightly about Hindi and Telugu-language movies, in that I do know most have epic dancing scenes and that they aren’t all wedding ceremony rom-coms. A minimum of, I suppose each of these issues are true. There is just one technique to discover out.
To start out out, I went with a movie I’ve a minimum of heard of: RRR, directed by S. S. Rajamouli and starring N. T. Rama Rao Jr. and Ram Charan. At first, I believed entering into blind, with out understanding something concerning the film, was the proper name. I deserted that fairly rapidly, although, and pulled up the Wikipedia web page for the film to assist comply with the story slightly higher. Virtually instantly, although, I used to be struck by the scope of the film.
RRR Is A Enormous Manufacturing
I’m not so ignorant as to not perceive that Bollywood and Tollywood movies, like Hollywood, usually have monster budgets, large set items and wonderful particular results. Nonetheless, RRR blew me away virtually from the very starting in simply how superb it seemed. It has each the texture of a contemporary summer time tent-pole film with unbelievable CGI, and the vibe of a traditional Hollywood epic with big set items and lots of of extras. This film is, on the floor, pure eye sweet.
Since all I’ve to check this film to, actually, is Western movies, there have been instances that the motion jogged my memory of a terrific Man Richie film, and the well-known dance-off to the Oscar-winning track “Naatu Naatu” was like a terrific MGM musical from the Golden Age of Hollywood in the easiest way.
These two issues could appear too bizarre to reconcile in a single film, nevertheless it works rather well, and scenes just like the assault on the English governor’s home is a number of the coolest motion in any film within the final 10 years, and “Naatu Naatu” is so infectious and enjoyable, it’s unimaginable to not love the dance-off. Plus, it doesn’t distract from the plot, which I used to be involved it will. It makes complete sense.
The Story Was A Little Arduous For Me To Observe
If I’m sincere, the toughest half for me was following the story. The movie tells a fictionalized model of two heroes of Indian independence within the Twenties, and I’m certain if I had been extra acquainted with the actual story, I’d have gotten rather more out of it. To make sure, that’s my drawback, not the film’s drawback. I’m not steeped in Indian historical past.
I do know the fundamentals of English rule and the struggle for independence led by Gandhi, however my understanding is admittedly very surface-level. I feel understanding extra about the actual individuals behind the characters in RRR would have made for a greater viewing expertise. Once more, this isn’t a flaw within the film; it’s a flaw in my lack of historic information.
After Watching RRR, I’m Prepared To Dive Into Extra Indian Cinema And Extra Indian Historical past
I’m a sucker for a terrific historic epic and lengthy motion pictures. RRR is each, and it is so effectively finished, I’m excited to discover extra Indian movies. I can’t say I’m stunned by how a lot I loved the manufacturing right here, however I’ll say that I’m extra glad than I believed I’d be. I knew it will be a powerful film, however I wasn’t certain if I would love it, and I did, very a lot.
I’m additionally excited to study extra about the actual individuals behind the characters of Komaram Bheem (N. T. Rama Rao Jr.) and Alluri Sitarama Raju (Ram Charan), to say nothing about digging extra into the historical past of Indian Independence. So not solely am I going to start out watching extra Bollywood, however I’m trying ahead to revisiting RRR after brushing up on some historical past.
This Journey Into Bollywood Is Simply Beginning For Me
Over the subsequent few months, I’m going to do my finest to work Bollywood motion pictures into my common movie-watching schedule. The 2025 film schedule right here within the U.S. is filling up lots of my time, however I’ve determined it’s undoubtedly price discovering the time to actually try extra about Indian cinema. I’m undecided the place to go subsequent, however Netflix has a big choice accessible, so I do know I received’t must spend an excessive amount of time on the lookout for my subsequent watch.
I’d even carve out a while for a TV present or two, however for now, I’ll keep on with motion pictures. In case you have any ideas on the place I ought to go subsequent, pontificate within the feedback and let me know what I ought to watch.