S. S. Rajamouli: James Cameron’s RRR Praise Is ‘More Than an Award’

RRR and Avatar: The Way of Water were two of the biggest movies of 2022, and during an encounter at the Critics Choice Awards, their directors — S. S. Rajamouli and James Cameron, respectively — praised each other’s work.

In a video clip that has since gone viral, Cameron and Rajamouli can be seen talking to one another at the 2022 Critics Choice Awards, which took place about two weeks ago. During their meeting, Rajamouli can be seen praising Cameron for his work, noting that the likes of Terminator, Avatar, and Titanic all inspired him. From there, Cameron praises the director’s RRR while breaking down some of his favorite aspects of the film, leading Rajamouli to say that this is more important than any award.

“These words from you are more than an award for me,” Rajamouli said. “I mean, I can’t believe that you saw the film, and you’re analyzing my film. Oh my god.”

Cameron went on to praise composer M.M. Keeravani, calling the score for the film “amazing,” noting that the music’s support of the scenes made him feel like standing up at times.

“I like the music to kind of stay out of the way and kind of come in and support when the audience is already feeling something, so it builds the theme,” Cameron said. “But you’re using the music very differently. He opens his eyes, boom! And you go with it, it’s like you feel like standing up. There are moments in that film where I just had to get up. I’m talking about watching it at home, I’m standing up!”

Cameron ended the talk by praising the team once again, congratulating them on how it must feel to have captured the praise of the entire world and telling Rajamouli that if he ever wanted to make a film in the United States, they could talk.

Both Avatar: The Way of the Water and RRR‘s award circuits aren’t done just yet, as both films will be represented at the upcoming 95th Academy Awards. The sequel to Avatar will be up for four awards, including Best Picture, while RRR was nominated for Best Original Song.