Vijayendra Prasad rakes in RRR controversy

Vijayendra Prasad rakes in Rrr controversy. When Rrr, the collaborative venture featuring Ram Charan and Jr NTR under the direction of SS Rajamouli, hit theaters in 2022, the period drama became a global sensation. During the film's release, the creators emphasized the equal significance of Ram's Alluri Sitaramaraju and NTR's Komaram Bheem to the narrative.

Fast forward two years, and in a recent interview, writer Vijayendra Prasad, SS Rajamouli’s father, expressed a slightly different perspective. While he intended to praise Jr NTR’s Bheem by terming it a 'supporting' role, fans interpreted it differently. He explained, "When I crafted the story, I envisioned people identifying with Alluri Sitaramaraju through Charan, not Ram. However, some in the northern regions insisted it felt more like Ram." He continued, "NTR’s Bheem lacked a distinctive appearance, leading to a perceived reduction in his overall importance to the story."

Vijayendra Prasad shared that although he initially thought Ram Charan’s role would leave a lasting impact, he now believes Jr NTR’s role was more challenging. He remarked, "I initially thought both characters were pivotal, but after watching the film, it seemed that Charan’s character would be more memorable. Nevertheless, portraying NTR’s role, supporting throughout, was a challenging feat."

This perspective sparked mixed reactions among fans. Jr NTR’s enthusiasts were displeased with the implication that their favorite actor played a supporting role, while Ram Charan’s supporters were delighted to see their star given more prominence. The latter even initiated a trend on social media, celebrating 'unrivalled Ram Charan supremacy' and sharing videos of SS Rajamouli and Vijayendra discussing Ram Charan.

Some fans defended Jr NTR’s portrayal, expressing that both characters held equal importance in the film. One fan stated, "After watching Rrr, I didn't feel like Jr NTR had a supporting character. Both had the same significance. Maybe the makers didn't intend it, but Jr NTR acted well enough to elevate the writing of his character, making it feel like he was the main character along with Ram Charan."

Others pointed out that in the northern regions, the audience still perceived Ram as the story's hero, largely influenced by his costume. A comment read, "Many people up north still think Jr NTR plays a side role in Rrr because of his costume. It's a fact."

Some fans believed that the controversy gained traction more due to fans' reactions than the interview itself. One user observed, "Vijayendra Prasad seems to be hurt badly. Everyone started a protest against him. Instead of dealing with his statements, the negativity is spreading more due to our reactions."

In the midst of these diverse opinions, the controversy surrounding the perceived roles of Ram Charan and Jr NTR in Rrr continues to fuel discussions among fans and the audience.