Spoiler-free review:
Rating out of 10: 6
Likes: the casting, the cinematography and the soundtrack.
Critiques: the soft-core Hindu nationalism and upholding of the caste system and gender roles.
Spoiler review:
RRR directed by S. S. Rajamouli is a period drama style action movie following two anti-English colonialist figures who in this fictitious movie become unlikely friends, in the process redefining bromance and sticking to the British empire and their English colonizers. Seems without issues right? Well, this action movie and period piece is in fact, rife with issues whether it’s the Hindu nationalism, casteism or underhanded misogyny. Narendra Modi (the current prime minister of India) has been in the public spotlight at least 20 years, and the Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) movement has been in power almost as long.
I am not saying you should not watch this movie, but do keep in mind the politics of it and exercise critical thinking, empathy and good sense. India has been independent from the English for 75 years, art in India predates any colonists and certainly predates the rise of Hindu nationalism in the majority. There is hope, the rise of the internet and indie content creators ensured that. But, it is more than a little irksome the spotlight this movie has gotten with other Tamil and Tollywood goes largely ignored by the public in favor of the more conservative Bollywood.
Be alert, be aware, and be critical.
https://slate.com/culture/2022/06/rrr-review-indian-blockbuster-netflix-hindu-nationalism.html – A Wild Indian Blockbuster Is Ravishing Movie Fans, but They’re Missing Its Troubling Subtext by Nitwish Pawha
RRR is an incredible action movie with seriously troubling politics – Vox – https://www.vox.com/23220275/rrr-netflix-tollywood-hindutva-caste-system
Today Explained Podcast – The politics of RRR – https://spotify.link/MwTjOf331xb
Why The Hype around RRR is problematic – Respectfully Disagree podcast – https://spotify.link/UYRSB0731xb
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