The helmer of India’s biggest release Baahubali: The Conclusion, SS Rajamouli is neck-deep in the promotions of the film, but seems unfazed about all the attention and expectations around his magnum opus.
As is wont with most filmmakers in Bollywood, Rajamouli’s reply to where he would be on the opening Friday of his film was similar. He said, “I will be watching Baahubali 2: The Conclusion first-day-first-show with the audience in the theatre.”
Nothing’s impossible
Exhausted, but exultant about his effort, the filmmaker adds that he and his team never looked at Baahubali 2 as an impossible dream. “I don’t think anyone who attempts to do impossible things thinks them as impossible as then they wouldn’t attempt it in the first place. We had a great story, we had a team, we had fantastic actors and I had so many people’s trust in me. So that’s why we thought we could achieve this task. And with the support from family, friends, media and fans, we managed it.”
Working with Karan
Rajamouli says he is thrilled about his association with Karan Johar, who is the presenter of the Hindi version of the Baahubali franchise. “I always wondered about the kind of films Karan Johar makes and the kind of films I make… They are very contrasting in nature. But, our love and passion for cinema are the same. And that’s one reason I think why ours is a fruitful association.”
So is there a Hindi film for Rajamouli with Karan Johar on the anvil? “Yes, I’ve said this many times. And definitely, I am looking forward to working with him much more.”
The movie moghul cuts down all talk of making the Mahabarat next. He says, “I am not doing Mahabharat immediately. It is my aim to put it on celluloid one day. But I need lot of time to prepare for that. Maybe after 10 years or so, I will be good enough to direct Mahabharat. At present, I am looking at completing one thing at a time. I am just looking at the next two days. So, I don’t know what I am going to do next.”
Finally, a family holiday
For now, Rajamouli looks forward to a holiday after five years of continuously working on Baahubali. “My wife, daughter and I have been planning to take a holiday for a very long time. It will be a very long holiday.”
