SS Rajamouli Says He Distances His Films From Both 'Hindu Or Pseudo-Liberal Propaganda'

SS Rajamouli also recalled an incident from 2020 when the 'RRR' team had shared the poster of Jr. NTR's character Komaram Bheem wearing a skullcap. He said that he was threatned by a BJP leader.

New Delhi: SS Rajamouli has had a great 2022 with the success of 'RRR' starring Ram Charan, Jr. NTR, Ajay Devgn, Alia Bhatt among others. Now that the film has received international accredition with a Golden Globe and an Oscar, SS Rajamouli has become a known name across the world in many film circles. In a recent interview with The New Yorker, Rajamouli was asked about being 'anti-Muslim or pro-nationalist'. When asked of there was "pressure being put on you, whether anti-Muslim or pro-nationalist, from BJP supporters or even the RSS.”

The 'Baahubali' director said, "No, never directly, never.” He added that no one had “ever approached me to make an agenda film, whatever the agenda is.” He also stated that 'less prominent' people have had objections with his films for a few years now. “Sometimes Muslims have had objections, sometimes Hindus, sometimes different castes,” he told the publication. SS Rajamouli also added taht he wanted to distance himself "from either Hindu or pseudo-liberal propaganda.”

When asked if the 'recent rise in nationalism, as well as anti-Muslim sentiment" affects the ways films are made in India, Rajamouli said, "Films reflect the pace of society because filmmakers have to cater to audiences.” “If there is a rise in that kind of sentiment in society, those kinds of films will come out. But I always stay away from that. I go a completely different route."

SS Rajamouli also recalled an incident from 2020 when the 'RRR' team had shared the poster of Jr. NTR's character Komaram Bheem wearing a skullcap. He said that he was threatned by a BJP leader. "A BJP leader threatened to burn down theatres showing RRR and said he would beat me in the road if we didn’t remove the cap. So people can decide for themselves whether I’m a BJP person or not,” he recalled.

He added, “I distance myself from either Hindu or pseudo-liberal propaganda. I know there are audience members from those extreme groups in my audience. I know that, but I’m not catering to them. I’m just catering to the emotional needs of the audience.”