When we first began talking about the film RRR in class I didn’t think it would be very entertaining for me personally, however, this was completely not the case. I am very interested in history and I thought this film did a good job of mixing some historical fiction with high intensity action and powerful emotional arcs. I was entertained by the film’s plot in pre Independent India and all of the action. However, beyond the surface of all the action and intense drama the film had deeper themes of resistance, friendship, betrayal, and the battle for independence. Personally, I found the film’s use of color and music to play a large part in developing the film’s themes and messages, which helped emphasize the film’s commentary on the dynamics of power and fascism.

First off one of the big themes in RRR is the fight against evil and the longing for freedom. Both of the main characters , Raju and Komaram Bheem, are part of a larger anti British movement and have a deep loyalty to the Indian people which serves as a symbol of the fight against oppression. One thing that totally surprised me was with Alluri Raju, a man who I thought was serving the British authorities but we later find out that he secretly works against them to further his mission for independence. Bheem, on the other hand, is a tribal leader who embarks on a personal mission to rescue a young girl from British captivity. The film shows us how these two characters who come from different backgrounds ultimately become united in their goal of liberation. The relationship between these two characters is crucial to the story because it teaches us about the power of unity and that people are stronger together and that is how you defeat an oppressive regime.

Furthermore, I feel that the relationship between the two characters is about much more than just their physical strength and that it’s also deeply emotional which highlights the complex balance between loyalty and resistance. The film uses their bond to explore trust and betrayal by showing how both characters are tricked by different forces before ultimately uniting with the shared goal of fighting the British Empire. Their evolving friendship depicts a larger theme that being how people who are oppressed and divided by cultural, social, or political differences can still come together when faced with a common enemy.

Also, the film uses its vibrant colors to reflect the emotional tensions at play. I found that Rajamouli tended to choose more rich, contrasting colors, with warm golds, fiery reds, and deep greens which I thought depicted the inner struggles and their connection to the land they’re fighting for. The difference between the pale uniforms of the British soldiers and the bright clothes of the Indian rebels visually highlights the divide between the oppressors and the oppressed. These color choices make the contrast between imperialism and the fight for freedom clear not just within the story but how the overall film looks.

Furthermore, the film speaks on the rise of fascism specifically with colonial authoritarian forces manipulating individuals and communities to benefit themselves. The British in the film represent not just imperialism but a fascist regime that controls through violence, deceit, and manipulation. The British soldiers in the film are shown to be ruthless and have no regard for the lives of the people they control which represents fascist regimes throughout history. 

Overall, I thought it was a very engaging action packed film that is as much about the fight for freedom as it is about the bigger picture which is the struggles against fascism and oppression. Its vibrant use of color with the mix of the powerful themes of loyalty, betrayal, and unity, enhances the film’s messages on the nature of power. I also thought that the combination of the film’s visual and emotional depth made it very entertaining.