RRR review: SS Rajamouli delivers a visual extravaganza

RRR review: SS Rajamouli delivers a visual extravaganza

After the humongous success of the ‘Baahubali’ films, SS Rajamouli is back with his next, ‘RRR’, which is a fictional take on the lives of two Indian revolutionaries, Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem. The director’s father KV Vijayendra Prasad has penned the story and the film is produced on a huge scale by DVV Danayya.

The film begins in 1920 when British governor Scott and his wife visit Adilabad forest, and forcefully take away Malli, a young girl from the Gond tribe to their palace in Delhi. To rescue the girl, the tribe’s protector Komaram Bheem arrives in Delhi with his men. When the British come to know this, they throw a challenge to the cops to nab Bheem. Police officer Alluri Sitarama Raju takes it up in order to get a promotion. During his desperate search, Ram befriends Bheem without knowing who he is. Both of them are unaware of each others identities and become thick friends in quick time.

Meanwhile, Ram helps Bheem to get close to Governor Scott’s niece Jenny. She invites Bheem to their palace where he meets Malli and assures her rescue. On the same night when Ram is down with a poisonous snake bite, Bheem confesses to him, revealing his mission. While Bheem and his men barge into the palace with a truck full of wild animals, Ram obstructs them as a police officer. Bheem pleads not to arrest him but Ram does not budge. Bheem is forced to surrender and Ram is promoted as a special officer.

It is later revealed that Ram’s father Venkata Ramaraju had rebelled and sacrificed his life against the British. Venkata took a promise from Ram that he’d deliver a weapon to every person taking part in the rebellion. Meanwhile, the British torture Bheem and offers mercy if he kneels but he refuses. Ram then realizes Bheem’s value and feels guilty. He tries to rescue Bheem and Malli but Scott and his men sense the ploy. In the end of a riveting chase and action sequence, Bheem escapes with Malli while injuring Ram.

Few months later, Bheem accidentaly meets Sita, Ram’s fiance who reveals that Ram has been sentenced to death as he went against the British to save his best friend. Bheem regrets his actions and promises Sita to rescue Ram. The rest of the film is about how Bheem stages the rescue mission and how the two fight the British and destroy their palace while retrieving all the weapons.

With such an elaborate and dramatic storyline, SS Rajamouli has weaved magic, visually. The director, known for his penchant for grandeur amps up his game by delivering a true visual extravaganza. Alluri Sitarama Raju’s introduction scene, the Nattu Nattu song, the interval sequence and the climax fight are the major highlights in the film.

Both the leads, Jr NTR and Ram Charan have given their blood and sweat for the film, which is evident on screen. With their chiselled physique and towering screen presence, it is their performance in the action scenes that impress the most. The actors also share great chemistry and complement each other well. Famous for their dancing skills, the two deliver their absolute best in the ‘Nattu Nattu’ song.

Ajay Devgn does a memorable cameo while others like Alia Bhatt, Shriya Saran and Samuthirakani hardly have anything to do. The film also lacks a strong villain, like the mighty Bhallaladeva of ‘Baahubali’.

Cinematographer KK Senthil Kumar, visual effects supervisor Srinivasa Mohan and veteran editor Sreekar Prasad deserve a pat on their back for delivering a visually stunning experience like ‘RRR’. In a nutshell, ‘RRR’ is a marvellously constructed film that offers solid entertainment and plenty of goosebumps-inducing moments.