Cinematic style of S. S. Rajamouli
He frequently mentions that the mythological themes in his films are storytelling elements intended to create strong emotional impact on the viewers and are not a reflection of his personality or worldview.
His works are typically visual effects-heavy, and he is one of the pioneering filmmakers in India in integrating computer-generated imagery (CGI) with live action.
Other frequent collaborators include editor Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao, cinematographer K. K. Senthil Kumar, production designers Sabu Cyril and S. Ravinder, action choreographers Peter Hein, Ram-Lakshman, and King Solomon.
A penchant for "larger-than-life" filmmaking,[3][4][5][6] combined with a fascination for historical and mythological themes; abound with forts, battles, kings and their tales had Rajamouli helm films like Yamadonga, Magadheera and the Baahubali duology.
"[12]A scene in Simhadri had the protagonist impale a rapist on spikes overhead and bathe in his blood, who is then given a abhisheka by the priests for his deed.
[13] Piyush Roy, a critic and film historian, attributed the success of Rajamouli to his ability to integrate the essential lessons and emotions in stories of Indian epics with visual grandeur.
He noted that "aspects such as constant duel between good and evil, women as strong characters, presence of mother figures like Kunti and Gandhari are recurrent themes of his narratives.
[2][15][16] He stated that the mythological and religious themes in his films are storytelling elements intended to create strong emotional impact on the viewers.
"[18][19] Devarsi Ghosh of India Today observed that "the themes of an orphaned hero, a secret backstory, a separated family and a protagonist in search of his/her origins are prominent in Rajamouli's films.
"[20] Themes centered around Jealous siblings, and adopted sons who strive to prove their loyalty featured prominently in Simhadri, Chatrapathi, and Baahubali.
Piyush Roy noted that the Veera rasa (heroism), amongst the navarasas, is the most prominent in the characters of Rajamoulis protagonists who make the film very engaging.
[6][23] His protagonists have graduated from pure brawn in Simhadri, Chatrapathi, and Vikramarkudu to thinking, intelligent heroes who overthink their antagonists in Maryada Ramanna, Eega, and Baahubali.
His pre-interval action scenes rev up the emotions of the audience creating a high point that increases the interest for the second half of the film.
He noted, “Initially, I used to add a lot of scenes for the sake of comedy, songs because I used to fear how people would react if they aren't there.
[37][36] Rajamouli's films typically, are visual effects-heavy and he is one of the pioneering filmmakers in India in integrating computer-generated imagery (CGI) with live action.
[50][51][52][26][53][4] His other favourite films include Missamma (1955), The Last of the Mohicans (1992), The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (1966), Terminator 2 (1991), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989), City Lights (1931), Apocalypto (2006), Kung Fu Panda (2008), The Lion King (1994), Aladdin (1992), Sherlock Holmes (2009), Forrest Gump (1994), and Django Unchained (2012).
[59][60] Among Indian directors, Rajamouli cites K. V. Reddy as his biggest influence;[49][51][61] Ram Gopal Varma and Raj Kapoor being others.
[63] For Baahubali, Rajamouli was inspired by the tales of Amar Chitra Katha and Chandamama along with the Sanskrit epics Mahabharata and Ramayana.
[86] R. C. Kamalakannan served as the visual effects supervisor for five of his films — Yamadonga, Magadheera, Maryada Ramanna, Eega, and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.
[89] Iranian citizen Adel Adili, who previously worked on Yamadonga,[90] Englishman Pete Draper, and R. C. Kamalakannan founded Makuta VFX based out of Hyderabad.
[80][115] His uncle Siva Shakthi Datta, brother of Vijayendra Prasad and father of Keeravani, worked as a lyricist in five of his films.
[104] His nephew Kaala Bhairava, elder son of Keeravani, worked as a playback singer in Baahubali series and RRR.
[127][128] Sri Simha, younger son of Keeravani, worked as a child actor in Yamadonga and Maryada Ramanna, along with minor roles in Eega and Baahubali: The Beginning.
[142] Ramya Krishna appeared in an item song in Simhadri and later played one of the central character, Sivagami Devi, in Baahubali films.
[148] Pradeep Rawat was introduced to Telugu film industry by Rajamouli as the antagonist Bikshu Yadav in Sye which won him fame.
[161][162][163][152][164] Rajamouli also worked with the comic actors Brahmanandam, M. S. Narayana, Venu Madhav, Ali, L. B. Sriram, Raghu Babu, Srinivasa Reddy, Sivannarayana Naripeddi, and Hema in multiple films.
[165][149] Sameer, Ajay, Jaya Prakash Reddy, Rao Ramesh, Subbaraya Sarma, Surya, and Preeti Nigam acted in supporting roles in many of his films.
[80][113] His nephew Sri Simha, younger son of Keeravani, worked as a child actor in Yamadonga and Maryada Ramanna,[129][130] along with minor roles in Eega and Baahubali: The Beginning.
In an interview with American media, he suggested various measures to make people prefer theatres over streaming services, like reintroduction of intermission – as it provides an opportunity for the audience to refresh themselves.
He stated that while creating a story, he often thinks whether the audience would be able to connect to his movie if the dialogue is turned off and many a times he feels in the affirmative.
