Given its historically resonant and emotional storyline, RRR's resounding success in India is hardly surprising. However, its popularity with global audiences – winning a place on several "best films of 2022" lists – is unprecedented. It has become the highest grossing Indian film ever in Japan, since its release in late October. The New Yorker, in an interview with the film's director SS Rajamouli – who won best director at the New York Film Critics Circle Awards in January – described it as "[a] joyously over-the-top action-fantasy," while Rolling Stone declared it the "best – and most revolutionary – blockbuster of 2022".
The film owes its success, in no small part, to its musical centrepiece, which Variety called "a movie-music adrenaline blast". Naatu Naatu made Indian cinema history by winning the Golden Globe for best original song in January, defeating major contenders like Rihanna, Taylor Swift and Lady Gaga. With an Oscar nomination for best original song, and a slated perfo...