As Baahubali: The Epic prepares for its U.S. theatrical release, acclaimed Indian filmmaker S.S. Rajamouli looks back on two of his most defining cinematic moments the global triumph of RRR and the legacy of Baahubali.

In a heartfelt conversation with UPI, Rajamouli opened up about the emotional night when RRR’s electrifying track “Naatu Naatu” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

“It was a mix of so many emotions where we started as a family, how far we’ve come, and how we brought an Indian story to that grand stage,” he shared. “I can’t put that feeling into words.”

The filmmaker also credited Baahubali for paving the way for RRR: “Baahubali took me from one level to the next it gave me the courage to dream bigger, to work with superstars, and to create massive action sequences.”

Now, Baahubali: The epic a special cut combining both Baahubali: The beginning (2015) and Baahubali 2: The Conclusion (2017) is set to captivate US audiences one again, showcasing not just cinematic grandeur, but also the power of storytelling the connects hearts beyond borders.