S.S. Rajamouli

S.S. Rajamouli is an Indian film director and screenwriter who primarily works in Telugu cinema and is known for his action, fantasy, and epic genre films. He is the highest grossing Indian director of all time and the highest-paid director in India. He is a recipient of various national and international honors including a New York Film Critics Circle award, a Critics' Choice Movie Award, two Saturn Awards, and three National Film Awards. In 2016, the Government of India honored him with the Padma Shri, for his contributions in the field of Art. In 2023, he was included on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Rajamouli has directed over twelve feature films, and all of them have been successful at the box office. Three of his films — Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017), and RRR (2022) — are among the top six highest grossing-films in India to date. All three films were also the most expensive Indian films ever made at the time of their release. RRR received various international accolades including an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for the song "Naatu Naatu," and a Critics' Choice Movie Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

Rajamouli's films are typically characterized by their epic grandeur, stylized action sequences, unbridled heroism and larger-than-life characters with historical and mythological references. His films have been noted for their integration of CGI with practical effects. With his Baahubali films, he has pioneered the pan-Indian film movement. He is also credited for expanding the market of Telugu cinema and South Indian cinema into North India and international markets.