While scrolling through the ‘gram, a shocking story caught our attention. It was about eminent director SS Rajamouli who, by the way, TheGlitz had met in Mauritius at the Mauritius Cinema Week way back and we found him, soft-spoken and a complete gentleman. We chatted briefly with him and was very impressed by his cinematic opinions and knowledge.
He was accompanied by his wife Rama Rajamouli. We spotted them again at the airport chit-chatting pleasantly amongst themselves. They were dressed simply – in fact Rajamouli had sandals on -as they rather unassumingly moved to the business class queue.
Rajamouli Controversy
So it was indeed shocking and a twist no one saw coming, when a video doing the rounds on social media of Uppalapati Srinivasa Rao, supposedly, a close friend of the illustrious filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli, making a shocking claim: that Rajamouli ruined his career for a woman. Yes, you read that right. Supposedly, he allegedly accused the filmmaker of letting personal relationships, particularly with a woman, influence career-defining decisions that led to his downfall. Naturally, this revelation sent ripples through the film industry, leaving everyone wondering whether this is a sordid tale of sabotage or simply a case of misplaced bitterness.
Rao, who had once been a rising star in the industry, voiced his frustration in a series of private conversations just before their tragic end. An India Today report said, “Apart from the video, Rao had also written a letter to Mettuguda police where he accused Rajamouli of ‘torturing’ and ‘harassing’ him over their shared history.”
It further said, “He claimed that their friendship was ruined after a woman entered their lives. “We worked together until Yamadonga, but he ruined my career for a woman,” he remarked. Mentioning that Rajamouli and himself were interested in the same woman, he talked about a “love triangle”. “Rajamouli asked me to sacrifice my love. We were in the early stages of our careers. I did not want to be immature and escalate the situation further. So, I stepped aside,” he added.”
Rao further stated that Rajamouli feared that he would reveal the story to the world. “That fear has turned into torture. The real reason for my suffering is that, during an argument, I once told him I would turn our story into a film. Since then, he has made my life miserable,” he said.
In the video too, Rao had said, “India’s number 1 director, SS Rajamouli, and Rama Rajamouli (his wife) are the reason for my death. This is my dying declaration, it is not a publicity stunt. No one would willingly want to die just for attention. This is my final statement.”
According to the claims, Rajamouli, known for his masterpieces like Baahubali and RRR, allegedly made decisions that deliberately hindered Rao’s career, all due to his involvement with a woman. But the details? Well, that’s where things get murky. What exactly the nature of the connection was, or how it impacted the individual’s professional trajectory, remains as elusive as the plot twists in a Rajamouli movie.
Though the allegations are certainly eyebrow-raising, they have yet to be substantiated with concrete evidence. So far, Rajamouli has maintained radio silence, perhaps pondering how this drama will unfold in the first place. Here, we must point out that there has never been even a whiff of a scandal in Rajamouli’s illustrious career so it was indeed shocking. Of course, he’s no stranger to creating grand spectacles, but this one seems to have taken a more personal turn. With his immense influence in Indian cinema, it’s unclear whether this scandal will tarnish his pristine reputation or be dismissed as a baseless accusation from someone who might have been struggling in the shadows of the industry’s demanding nature.
While everyone seems to be making wild assumptions, it’s important to note that the film world is rife with complicated relationships. Personal connections often blur the lines between professional decisions. From the casting couch to secret alliances, it’s no secret that personal interests can sometimes make their way into boardroom decisions. But then again, maybe the whole thing is a case of sour grapes from someone who felt overlooked in a system that can often feel as cold and calculating as a villain in one of Rajamouli’s epics.
In an even more tragic twist, Rao passed away shortly after making the allegations. The timing has fueled even more speculation. Was it the stress of the accusations? The harsh realities of the industry? Or just the unrelenting weight of what it means to be a rising star in Bollywood, where careers can rise and fall faster than you can say “box-office hit”? Friends and colleagues of the individual have been quick to express their sadness, describing the late professional as someone who had immense potential but seemed to be caught in a series of unfortunate circumstances… be it bad luck, poor choices, or, according to the allegations, the actions of a powerful friend-turned-foe.
Despite the sensational nature of these claims, there’s no denying the ripple effect they’ve caused. The industry, which thrives on gossip and intrigue, is now abuzz with whispers about Rajamouli’s role in the unfortunate individual’s decline. Some have dismissed the allegations as a desperate attempt to explain away a career that never took off, while others are keenly examining whether there’s more to this story than meets the eye.
What’s certain is that the film industry has seen its fair share of drama on and off-screen. But when the esteemed director behind Baahubali and RRR gets wrapped up in personal allegations that involve a woman, things take on a different kind of intrigue. The timing of these claims, combined with Rao’s tragic death, has elevated this story from a simple industry rumour to something far more complex… raising questions not just about Rajamouli’s alleged interference but also about the way personal relationships can shape or shatter careers in an industry built on ambition, egos, and, of course, a few dramatic plot twists.
So, will Rajamouli respond? Or will this simply become another layer of mystery in an already storied career? Only time will tell. For now, though, the industry is left to wonder how much truth there is in the tale of career sabotage for love… a story that could rival any of the blockbuster plots Rajamouli has ever crafted.
