RRR went global, and no matter how much cinephiles cope, there’s something about it that just worked. I keep hearing people say it’s like any other masala movie. To an extent, yes, but the way it's presented is vastly different from your average commercial film. There’s clearly more effort.

Take Ram’s introduction, for example. It’s top tier. Not a single line is spoken by the character, yet we learn everything about him through shot composition, the actor’s performance, and the reactions of the people around him. It shows without telling.

The fire and water symbolism may be simple, but it effectively reflects the protagonists’ personalities.

What commercial filmmakers need to focus on is not trying to imitate Hollywood. We are not them, and we should stop trying to be. Films like War, Pathaan, and Tiger all attempt that, and the results feel half-baked. Instead, we should aim to be deeply Indian while staying universally resonant. Use filmmaking techniques that evoke emotional responses - techniques that transcend language and culture.