Hollywood legend James Cameron and SS Rajamouli had a chit-chat in the run-up to the global release of Avatar 3. Cameron has voiced his eagerness to visit the sets of SS Rajamouli's upcoming film Varanasi, even offering to handle the camera himself for a brief while.
The exchange captures Cameron's deep respect for the Indian director. "I would like to come to your Varanasi set and watch you create your magic. You can give me a camera, I like to operate. I can get some shots for you," Cameron said.
Rajamouli, known for blockbusters like Baahubali and RRR, responded with enthusiasm: "That would be an absolute pleasure, sir. You are most welcome. Not just me, entire TFI will be thrilled. I will bring you to Hyderabad and my sets."
The Avatar and Titanic director's comments come years after his open admiration for RRR. At the 2023 Critics' Choice Awards and later at the Saturn Awards, Cameron praised RRR's scale and Rajamouli's vision. He called the film "spectacular" and complimented the way it used "fire and water" imagery to drive the narrative.
Varanasi is headlined by Superstar Mahesh Babu. Priyanka Chopra and Prithviraj Sukumaran have major roles in it. The film's title teaser was unveiled recently. MM Keeravani is setting the score for the movie.