RRR had a bigger chance to win: SS Rajamouli on film losing out on Oscar entry
Ahead of his Best Foreign Film and Best Song win for Naatu Naatu at the 28th edition of the Critics Choice Awards, Rajamouli spoke to the international publication The Hollywood Reporter about RRR’s dream run at the global award events so far. The latter bagged the New York Film Critics Circle Award for Best Director and a Best Original Song – Motion Picture Golden Globe for Naatu Naatu.
However, Rajamouli expressed his disappointment about RRR not being selected as India’s official Oscar entry this year.
When asked if he feels frustrated, Rajamouli said, “Yeah, it is disappointing. But we are not the kind of people who would sit and brood about why it didn’t happen. What has happened has happened and we should go forward with it. But I am happy because it (Chhello Show) is also an Indian film and it has also been shortlisted for the Oscars. I’m quite happy about it. Of course, everyone knew RRR had a much bigger chance. Here (in the US) everyone felt RRR had a bigger chance.”
Rajamouli was also asked about the 2013 film The Lunchbox, which wasn’t submitted for the International Feature Film category at the Oscars either, despite many speculating that it was the sure-shot winner that year. The director said, “I don’t know the committee (FFI – which selects India’s Oscar entry) or the guidelines of the committee. I don’t know how they do the stuff. I don’t know that and I can’t comment on it. What I really feel bad about for is The Lunchbox. For me, I don’t make films for critical acclaim. I make films for money and I make films for the audiences. RRR is a commercial film, and once my film commercially does well, I’m very happy with it. And awards are an extension to it.”
He continued, “It is for the hard work that my unit put in and I’m happy for that. But for The Lunchbox, it is different. It is different and it would have been a great achievement for India. And it is not just for The Lunchbox – but for many filmmakers and many films that would find encouragement to tell their stories to the world. So that’s a huge opportunity lost. I feel very bad for that.” When asked if he thought RRR’s many wins will make the committee rethink its selection process, Rajamouli replied, “Hopefully”.