RRR: Action sequences causing a headache to Rajamouli

KK Senthil Kumar, the director of photography for Rajamouli’s big-budget periodical ‘RRR’ had confirmed that over 70% of the film has been shot already.

Senthil cites the spurt in number of fresh Covid-19 cases as the reason behind the delay in resumption of shoot. “We used to shoot with not less than 400-600 people on sets, such was the scale of the project. But the government guidelines, which were put to effect after Covid-19 outbreak, instructed us to shoot with 40-50 people. We tried a couple of test shoots but had to call it off in the wake of constant spike in Covid-19 cases,” he added.

Apparently, a couple of high-octane action sequences in the film are yet to be shot and they are causing a new headache to Rajamouli.

Usually, Rajamouli prefers to shoot action sequences with hundreds of artists. Given the magnanimity of ‘RRR’ project, he is not willing to compromise with output. At the same time, he has to adhere to government guidelines which make it clear that not more than 50 people should be present on sets. Consequently, Rajamouli is left with no other option but to wait till Covid-19 effect is nullified.

‘RRR’ is being made on a massive scale and shooting with a cast and crew of under 50 people is an exceedingly tough job. Rajamouli is well aware of the same and that is one of the reasons why he had cancelled the test shoots.

Alia Bhatt is yet to join the sets of the film. Her combination scenes with Ram Charan will be shot as soon as conditions favor film shootings. Till then, team RRR will have to remain indoors and play the waiting game.