JJ Abrams was present at the sold-out IMAX screening of RRR to present writer-director SS Rajamouli. The American filmmaker said it was his privilege to introduce Rajamouli as he was a big fan of the Telugu film. His presence was an added surprise for the fans who came to watch the film; many had already seen the film before.
JJ, who is known for directing the Hollywood films Mission: Impossible III (2006), Star Trek (2009), Super 8 (2011) and Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), thanked the crowd for being there to watch the film and said, “I’m honoured to be here for a film I love and a filmmaker I so admire.”
The director was referring to the point in the screening when audience members ran to the front and began dancing to the steps of ‘Naatu Naatu’, which is currently in the running for a Golden Globe award and is shortlisted for an Academy Award.
Joining the director on stage, were his leading men Ram Charan and Jr NTR. The two actors even took questions from members of the audience and the critics. Videos doing the rounds prove that the actors created quite a fan frenzy at the screening as hoards of fans rushed to the stars for photos. Ram was seen obliging a few lucky fans with selfies that later went viral on Twitter.
The makers of ‘RRR’ are currently gearing up for the Hollywood award season where its distributor Variance Films has mounted a substantial campaign to have the film recognised in the general categories at various ceremonies.
The movie is already under Oscar consideration after the film’s hit track “Naatu Naatu” made it to the 95th Academy Awards shortlist for best original song, along with 14 others. The nominations for the Oscars will be announced on January 24.
“RRR” is also nominated for two Golden Globes — Best Picture – Non-English and Best Song for ‘Naatu Naatu’.
It has received five nominations for Critics Choice Awards — Best Picture, Best Director, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Song for “Naatu Naatu”, and Best Visual Effects.
