Filmmaker SS Rajamouli has received a major international honour. During his visit to Lyon, France, the director’s name was permanently added to the prestigious ‘Wall of Filmmakers’ at the Institut Lumière. This places him alongside some of the most legendary directors in cinema history, including Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, and Francis Ford Coppola.
The honour took place at the Lumière Museum, which is considered the birthplace of cinema. Rajamouli’s films Eega and RRR were screened to a full house at the museum as part of the event. The recognition is a significant moment for Indian cinema on the world stage.
Rajamouli’s Emotional Reaction to the Surprise Honour
The director shared his experience on social media, describing the moment as deeply moving. He explained that Thierry Frémaux, the director of the Institut Lumière and the Cannes Film Festival, guided him through the historic streets where cinema was born.
“Then he said he had planned a surprise and walked me through the very street where cinema was born. I was already emotional for everything that was happening around me.”
The biggest surprise came when he noticed a wall filled with plaques of his idols. He saw a plate covered with a red cloth and his mind went blank.
“And there is this wall full of plaques. Names of legends like Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola… and then I noticed a plate covered with a red cloth. My mind went blank.”
Rajamouli expressed his gratitude for having his name permanently placed on the Mur des Cinéastes alongside these greats.
“I don’t even know what to say for the honour of having my name permanently placed on the Mur des Cinéastes, along with the greats. Only gratitude. Deeply, deeply humbled.”
He thanked the Institut Lumière for giving him a memory he will carry for a lifetime.
Son SS Karthikeya Celebrates the Historic Moment
Rajamouli’s son, SS Karthikeya, who is accompanying him on the trip, also shared his emotions on social media. He expressed how overwhelming it was to have his father’s films screened at the exact location where the first shot using a cinematograph was ever captured.
Karthikeya mentioned that hearing people say they are discovering Indian cinema through his father’s films is very gratifying. He called the trip satisfying and fulfilling, praising his father for coming a long way and expressing excitement for the journey ahead.
Event Details and The Institut Lumière Retrospective
The honour is part of a larger retrospective of Rajamouli’s work. The event, running from June 27 to July 17, celebrates his contribution to global cinema. It includes sold-out screenings, autograph sessions, and audience interactions with the director, featuring landmark films like Eega and RRR.
Videos from the event, which have gone viral on social media, show Rajamouli unveiling a golden plaque bearing his name after pulling away a red curtain. This recognition comes shortly after he was previously honoured with a permanent seat at the Cinémathèque Française in Paris. During the session, he also spoke about India’s rich storytelling traditions.
Addressing the audience, Rajamouli said, “India is a huge treasure trove of stories. Be it the mythology of India…”
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Rajamouli’s Busy Schedule and Upcoming Projects
The director is currently on a break from the shoot of his upcoming film Varanasi to attend this tour of Europe. The France visit follows his appearance at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, where his animated project Baahubali: The Eternal War was showcased. This animated feature is being developed with a Japanese animation studio.
His upcoming live-action project, Varanasi, is one of the most anticipated Indian films in recent years. The film features Mahesh Babu, Priyanka Chopra, and Prithviraj Sukumaran in lead roles. Rajamouli has revealed that major action sequences have already been completed, with shooting expected to wrap up by October. The film is slated for a theatrical release on April 7, 2027.
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