Masterclass with Vijayendra Prasad: RRR writer and filmmaker 

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By Shashiprasad SM

26/03/2023

During an online masterclass — RRR: Behind the Screenplay — Vijayendra Prasad shared some of his insights into what goes into writing an effective screenplay and a lot more.

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His thought of creating a completely new storyline based on two freedom fighters — Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem — that could create a magical experience gave birth to RRR.

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About one of his finest creations, yet again for his son SS Rajamouli, the writer revealed that Stephen Spielberg’s ET (1982) inspired him to create Eega (2012).

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He mentioned Kattappa at the masterclass to a question on which among Bahubali’s characters was his favourite.

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“He killed Amarendra Bahubali, for whom he had great love, with a heavy heart since he didn’t want Shivagami to have Bahubali’s blood on her hands,” explained the master.

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Further, the writer said that Bahubali was in fact a tale of two women — mother-in-law (Shivagami) versus daughter-in-law (Devasena).

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He shared that he never had any formal training in writing a screenplay. He follows some of the basic principles like keeping it within minimal pages to fit 2-2.5 hours of movie time.

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“My all-time favourite is Sholay, which I often keep revisiting for inspiration. It is my guiding light,” Vijayendra Prasad further said.

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He signed off by saying that he has plans to write on various subjects, based on historically significant people and events like Chhatrapati Shivaji, Azad Hind Force, and Article 370.

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