‘Varanasi’ director SS Rajamouli REACTS to comparisons with 'Avatar' filmmaker James Cameron

SS Rajamouli hardly needs an introduction. Following the international success of ‘RRR’, the director is often compared to Hollywood legend James Cameron. SS Rajamouli has now reacted to being compared to the ‘Avatar’ director. The ‘Varanasi’ director expressed that, while he feels very ‘humbled’, he humbly requested to refrain from such comparisons.

Rajamouli is currently promoting his upcoming film ‘Varanasi’, and during a conversation with Screen Rant, he reacted to the parallels being drawn between him and James Cameron, Rajamouli said that he feels very ‘humbled’.




“There is no way that I can compare myself with the legendary great Jim. He is like a master, and I am a student,” Rajamouli said.

It is worth mentioning that James Cameron had earlier praised Rajamouli’s ‘RRR’.

In 2023, James Cameron and SS Rajamouli bumped into each other at the Critics’ Choice Awards. Following the meeting, Cameron told reporters, "Well, I was being honest with him at the time that I thought it was spectacular work. It was great to see Indian cinema bursting out onto the world stage with broad acceptance.”

Later, Rajamouli too gushed about the same on Instagram. He said, "The great James Cameron watched RRR.. He liked it so much that he recommended to his wife Suzy and watched it again with her. Sir, I still cannot believe you spent a whole 10 minutes with us analyzing our movie. As you said, I AM ON TOP OF THE WORLD... Thank you both (sic).”

Meanwhile, in another conversation with Jake Kleinman, the ‘Varanasi’ director said that he resonates with ‘Parasite’ director Bong Joon Ho. “I resonate with the views of Bong Joon Ho in that the more rooted your story is in your culture or in yourself, the more reach it gets outside,” Rajamouli said.

On the work front, SS Rajamouli’s ‘Varanasi’ has emerged as one of the most anticipated films from India. The epic has Mahesh Babu in the lead role. Priyanka Chopra Jonas has roped in as the female lead. Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran will be seen as the antagonist in the film.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”