RRR director SS Rajamouli opens up on his political, religious beliefs: 'Not approached to make an agenda film'

Filmmaker SS Rajamouli is basking in the global success of his latest blockbuster RRR. Starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR in the lead roles, the movie found unprecedented success among the moving-going audience in the US. Even as its theatrical run in India ended a long time ago, RRR is still playing on many screens across the US and in other parts of the world. 

Rajamouli has become a new fascination for audiences in the West and hence many international publications have focused their resources on learning everything they could about one of India's superstar directors. In a recent interview, Rajamouli discussed his political, and religious beliefs and his journey from faith to atheism. 

Rajamouli claimed that he was apolitical and that he always keeps his politics away from his films. He rubbished the allegations that certain themes and symbols are included in his films to serve the agenda of the ruling party. 

"I’d also like to point out one more thing to people who accuse me of supporting the B.J.P. or the B.J.P.’s agenda: when we first released an early character design of Bheem, I showed him wearing a Muslim skullcap [to disguise himself]. After that, a B.J.P. 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 B.J.P. person or not," he told The New Yorker. 

"I hate extremism, whether it is the B.J.P., Muslim League, or whatever. I hate extreme people in any section of society. That is the simplest explanation that I can give," he added. 

Rajamouli suggested that he was never under the pressure to make a film to serve a particular political agenda. "No, never directly, never. No one’s ever approached me to make an agenda film, whatever the agenda is. Still, for a long time, less prominent people sometimes found objections to my films. Sometimes Muslims have had objections, sometimes Hindus, sometimes different castes," he said. 

Rajamouli also noted that his family feels "sad" for him since he has gravitated towards atheism and refrains from taking part in religious rituals. However, he revealed that his family has now made peace with his way of life and even respects it. 

Set in 1920s, RRR tells the tale of Raj and Bheem, who wage a revolt against the might of the British empire. The film's anti-colonial sentiments are said to be one of the reasons why this film resonated with so many people across the world. RRR has won a slew of awards since its popularity took off in the US last year. The who's who of Hollywood, including Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, have raved about this movie. RRR also made history after the film's song 'Naatu Naatu' won an Oscar nomination for Best Orginal Song.