S.S. Rajamouli is the pride of Indian cinema, everyone agrees on that. But let’s take a look at how his relationship with the media has evolved over time.
Until the release of Baahubali: The Beginning, he was always closely connected with the local media. His office used to call journalists to arrange interviews, send invites for press meets and special screenings, and organize Q&A sessions with Rajamouli and the film’s cast and crew.
When Baahubali: The Beginning turned out to be a massive blockbuster, things started to change. Rajamouli gradually distanced himself from the local media and began associating more with the national, that is, Bollywood, media.
All the affection and personal touch he once showed to Telugu journalists was now directed toward Bollywood outlets.
He would attend interviews with them, hold exclusive press meets, screen special shows, and actively engage with Bollywood media personalities on social media. That continued until RRR.
During the Oscar promotions for RRR, Rajamouli was exposed to Hollywood media. He learned how that ecosystem operates, whom to approach, how much to spend, how to plan special screenings, and the nuances of Hollywood publicity.
Now he seems to be using all those contacts, arranging screenings exclusively for Hollywood journalists first, his new-found love.
Apparently, he has also “divorced” the Bollywood media. His current focus, especially for Baahubali: The Epic, appears to be entirely on Hollywood.
Rajamouli wants to establish himself as an international filmmaker, which is admirable, but not at the cost of ignoring the local media.
What should the local press do now, without any exclusive interviews or Q&A sessions? Does Rajamouli expect the Telugu media to simply read what Hollywood journalists write about him, and then publish glowing follow-up articles?
He must remember that his core market is Telugu cinema, not Bollywood, and not Hollywood. Even RRR performed best in Telugu. Forgetting his roots while aiming higher may not be a wise move.
The local media still loves Rajamouli, but love cannot be one-sided, especially when he seems “hitched” to Hollywood media now. At this point, local journalists may feel ignored or even looked down upon.
Yes, Rajamouli is a marketing genius, but that does not mean he can afford to neglect the media at home.
In a way, he appears like Mohan Babu in M. Dharmaraju MA, who throws his lover out of focus once he wins the election and sets his sights on marrying the rich man’s daughter.
Yes, the local media journalists now feel like the first lover who has gone out of focus in Rajamouli’s eyes.
(Un)interestingly, he held a special premiere for a Hollywood journalist who mentioned: “Baahubali: The Epic Review- S.S. Rajamouli’s Landmark Blockbuster Ascends Into Myth- Reviewed at Digital Arts Screening Room, New York, Oct. 23, 2025".
That means the first screening happened for Hollywood media on October 23 itself, almost a week ahead of the film’s official release.
