HBD SS Rajamouli: Here Are Little-Known Facts About the Ace Filmmaker

SS Rajamouli, the director who elevated Tollywood to international acclaim, celebrates his birthday today. As we pay honor to his cinematic genius, let's embark on a journey to uncover some lesser-known facets of this accomplished director's life and career.

A Multilingual Talent

Born as Koduri Srisaila Sri Rajamouli in Raichur, Karnataka, Rajamouli's linguistic prowess extends beyond Telugu, as he can fluently converse in Kannada.

From TV to Film

Before conquering the silver screen with his visionary storytelling, Rajamouli honed his craft by directing television shows in Telugu. Notably, he directed the "Shanti Nivasam" serial under the mentorship of veteran filmmaker Kovelamudi Raghavendra Rao's production house.

A Remarkable Debut

Rajamouli made his directorial debut in 2001 with the action-packed film "Student No.1," which marked Jr NTR's debut as a lead actor and proved to be a resounding box office success.

The Family Connection

Rajamouli's talent runs in the family; he is the son of KV Vijayendra Prasad, a renowned scriptwriter responsible for crafting scripts for blockbusters like the Baahubali series, "Bajrangi Bhaijaan," and the upcoming "Mersal."

Nandi - A Family Alias

Within his family circle, Rajamouli is lovingly referred to as "Nandi." Interestingly, "Nandi" was initially considered as the alias for the character of Mahendra Baahubali before it became Shivudu. In the industry, he's commonly known as "Jakkanna," a title that gained popularity after Jr NTR addressed him as such during public events.

The Jakkanna Moniker

In the South Indian film industry, SS Rajamouli is affectionately known as "Jakkanna." This distinctive nickname was coined by Rajiv Kanakala during the shooting of "Student No.1." Impressed by Rajamouli's working style, Rajiv bestowed upon him the name "Jakkanna," inspired by a prominent sculptor in the Hoysala empire of South India.

A Box Office Marvel

One of Rajamouli's most remarkable achievements is his unblemished track record, with not a single box office flop in his entire career. This distinction was previously held by Tamil filmmaker Shankar until some of his recent films faced challenges at the box office.

-by Vishnupriya