S. S. Rajamouli
Self
Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli
“One Man. Numerous Blockbusters. Endless Ambition.”
2024
1h 14m
Director: Raghav Khanna
Overview
Highlights Rajamouli’s influence on Indian and international cinema, with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage.
Cast
11 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Man Who Made Myths Move
I’ve watched Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli twice now, and both times I’ve been struck by the same thought: this isn’t just a documentary about a filmmaker. It’s a document of an industry in the act of reinventing itself, with Rajamouli as both its architect and its most visible symbol. The film, directed by Raghav Khanna, is a slick, 74-minute love letter to the man who turned Telugu cinema into a global phenomenon—one that now competes with Hollywood on its own terms.
But beneath the surface polish, there’s something more interesting at play: a tension between celebration and critique, between the myth Rajamouli has built and the reality of what his films actually do.
The documentary’s greatest strength is its access. We see Rajamouli on set, barking orders, demonstrating fight choreography with his own body, his face alight with the kind of manic energy that makes you believe he could will a blockbuster into existence through sheer force of personality. There’s a moment where he’s directing a battle scene from Baahubali, and he’s not just telling the actors what to do—he’s performing it for them, his body twisting and lunging as if he’s the one wielding the sword.
It’s a rare glimpse into the physicality of filmmaking, the way a director’s vision isn’t just something that exists in their head but something they embody. And Rajamouli, with his wiry frame and intense gaze, is the perfect subject for this kind of scrutiny. He doesn’t just make films; he lives inside them.
The film’s other coup is its roster of talking heads. James Cameron and Joe Russo show up to sing Rajamouli’s praises, and their presence isn’t just window dressing. Cameron, in particular, offers a fascinating comparison: he calls Rajamouli’s style "muscular," a word that perfectly captures the way his films feel—dense, kinetic, almost overstuffed with emotion and movement.
It’s a style that owes as much to Indian mythology as it does to Hollywood spectacle, and Cameron’s admiration feels genuine, not just polite. Russo, meanwhile, seems almost envious of Rajamouli’s ability to balance commercial appeal with personal vision, something Russo himself has struggled with in the Marvel era. Their cameos aren’t just about lending prestige; they’re a reminder that Rajamouli’s work is being taken seriously in places where Indian cinema has historically been dismissed as niche or exotic.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsInside Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli—Netflix’s Love Letter to a Blockbuster Visionary
Netflix’s Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli (2024) isn’t just a documentary—it’s a victory lap for the man who redefined Indian cinema’s global ambitions. Directed by Raghav Khanna (and co-directed by Tanvi Ajinkya, per Wikipedia 
), the film pulls back the curtain on S.S. Rajamouli’s meteoric rise, from regional Telugu hits to the historic success of Baahubali and RRR. But with A-list cameos and rare behind-the-scenes access, latestnetflix.com contends, the project also doubles as a masterclass in how Rajamouli’s collaborators—including Hollywood heavyweights—view his work.
The Star-Studded Rolodex: Who’s Singing Rajamouli’s Praises?
The documentary’s cast reads like a who’s who of global and Indian cinema. James Cameron and Joe Russo, two of Hollywood’s most bankable directors, appear alongside Rajamouli’s frequent collaborators: Baahubali and RRR stars Prabhas, Rana Daggubati, Ram Charan, and Jr NTR 
. Bollywood mogul Karan Johar and composer M.M. Keeravaani (Rajamouli’s cousin and Oscar winner for RRR’s Naatu Naatu) also feature, suggesting a rare unity among Indian film industries in celebrating Rajamouli’s pan-India phenomenon .
What’s striking is how these figures frame Rajamouli’s appeal. Cameron’s inclusion isn’t just name-dropping—it’s a nod to Rajamouli’s ability to merge spectacle with emotional storytelling, a trait Cameron himself pioneered with Avatar and Titanic. Russo, whose Avengers films dominate global box offices, likely offers perspective on Rajamouli’s knack for large-scale action, a skill that helped RRR become a crossover hit in the West .
The Rajamouli Formula: More Than Just Spectacle
Critics and the documentary itself emphasize that Rajamouli’s success isn’t just about scale—it’s about his obsessive focus on subject over mere story. A review in Hindustan Times notes that the film highlights Rajamouli’s philosophy of being a "slave to the subject," a trait that sets him apart from directors who prioritize narrative twists or character arcs . This approach is evident in Baahubali’s mythic grandeur and RRR’s hyper-stylized action, both of which blend local cultural motifs with universal themes of heroism and brotherhood.
The documentary also explores Rajamouli’s role in creating the "pan-India film" genre—a term now synonymous with his work. By breaking language barriers and appealing to audiences across India (and beyond), Rajamouli didn’t just make hits; he redefined the industry’s playbook . His films’ success on streaming platforms and in international markets has inspired a wave of multilingual blockbusters, from KGF to Jawan.
A Puff Piece or a Necessary Tribute?
Not everyone is sold on the documentary’s uncritical adulation. Scroll.in calls it a "puff piece about an already celebrated filmmaker," arguing that the film leans too heavily on praise without offering deeper insights into Rajamouli’s creative process or challenges . While the cameos and behind-the-scenes footage are undeniably compelling, the review suggests that Modern Masters might have benefited from more candid moments—perhaps a look at the pressures of helming India’s most expensive films or the struggles of balancing commercial success with artistic vision.
That said, the documentary’s timing is impeccable. With RRR’s Oscar win and Rajamouli’s upcoming collaboration with Netflix (The Greatest of All Time, starring Vijay), the film serves as both a retrospective and a teaser for what’s next. For fans, it’s a chance to relive the magic of Baahubali and RRR; for industry insiders, it’s a case study in how to build a global brand from regional roots.
What’s Missing? The Unanswered Questions
Despite its star power, Modern Masters leaves some gaps. There’s no mention of Rajamouli’s early career struggles or the failures that shaped his later successes. The documentary also skips over his upcoming projects in detail, including his highly anticipated Hollywood debut (rumored to be a mythological epic, though unconfirmed). And while the film touches on his working relationship with wife and costume designer Rama Rajamouli, it doesn’t delve into how their personal and professional partnership influences his films .
For now, Modern Masters is a celebration, not an exposé. It’s a testament to Rajamouli’s ability to inspire awe—not just in audiences, but in the very people who define modern cinema.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.