Rajamouli asks not to compare him with 'master' James Cameron, but agrees with Bong Joon Ho's approach of filmmaking

Telugu filmmaker SS Rajamouli is probably one of the few Indian directors who has been able to command global attention in recent times and win over even ace Hollywood director James Cameron. So much so that comparisons were made between the two, but the Varanasi director chose to humbly request not to compare with the Avatar filmmaker, calling him a ‘master’. He also cited Oscar-winning director Bong Joon Ho’s style of filmmaking and how it resonates with him.

What Rajamouli said about Avatar director James Cameron

Rajamouli, who is literally taking his upcoming movie Varanasi places, had a recent conversation with Screen Rant. When asked about parallels being drawn between him and James Cameron, Rajamouli said that he feels very ‘humbled’.

“There is no way that I can compare myself with the legendary great Jim. He is like a master, and I am a student,” remarked the director, whose last film RRR had won praise from James Cameron.

In another conversation with Jake Kleinman which was published on the Polygon website, Rajamouli spoke about

Parasite director Bong Joon Ho and his universal approach to filmmaking, which is rooted in Korean culture.

““I resonate with the views of Bong Joon Ho in that the more rooted your story is in your culture or in yourself, the more reach it gets outside,” Rajamouli was quoted as saying by the website.

Notably, Rajamouli’s films Baahubali part 1 and 2, starring Telugu actor Prabhas, and RRR, with Ram Charan and Jr NTR, narrated desi stories. Yet these films found a global audience and RRR even winning an Oscar for the Best Original song for Naatu Naatu.

Which is Rajamouli’s new movie

Rajamouli’s upcoming movie is Varanasi, which stars Mahesh Babu in the lead role. Global sensation Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays the female lead while Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran will be seen as the antagonist.

Also read: Varanasi: Prithviraj Sukumaran spills beans on his Kumbha role, terms him a very ‘dangerous man who is…’

Varanasi movie FAQs

Q. Has the Varanasi movie been released?

A. The Varanasi movie has not been released. The Mahesh Babu-Rajamouli film will release in theatres on April 7, 2027.

Q. Who is playing the female lead in Mahesh Babu's next?

A. Priyanka Chopra Jonas plays the female lead in the film.

Q. Who are the actors in the Varanasi movie?

A. SS Rajamouli's film Varanasi stars Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead roles