Reimagining Resistance: The Appropriation of Tribal Heroes in Rajamouli's RRR
This pre-print explores the reimagining of tribal heroes Alluri Sitarama
Raju and Komaram Bheem in S.S. Rajamouli's film RRR. The film
appropriates these historical figures, known for their resistance against local
forms of oppression, and reframes them as nationalistic symbols in the fight
against British colonialism. While RRR succeeds in creating a compelling
narrative of unity and resistance, it overlooks the specific struggles for
land, water, and forest rights that defined Raju’s and Bheem’s legacies. By
focusing on a broader nationalist agenda, the film misses the opportunity to
address contemporary issues of displacement and environmental degradation that
continue to affect indigenous communities in India. This analysis critiques the
film's narrative choices, arguing that they dilute the historical significance
of these figures and their relevance to ongoing movements for environmental
justice and the rights of indigenous peoples.
Keywords: RRR, tribal resistance, displacement,
environment, jal, jungle, jameen
At the heart of both Raju's and Bheem's historical struggles were the
rights to land, water, and forests—resources that are still under threat today
due to industrialization, deforestation, and the expansion of corporate
interests. The displacement of indigenous people from their ancestral lands has
not only disrupted their way of life but also contributed significantly to
environmental degradation. In this context, Rajamouli’s choice to focus on the
fight against the British Raj rather than the ongoing struggles for
environmental justice represents a missed opportunity to address these critical
issues.
Displacement: A Broader Perspective
Displacement is often understood simply as the movement of people from
one place to another, but as writer Annie Zaidi poignantly describes in Known
Turf, it is a much more profound and devastating experience. Zaidi writes,
"Displacement… is a very inadequate word that conveys nothing of its true
meaning. Displacement is not about moving…(It) is about losing a river. Losing
access to clean, safe, drinking water…losing land that is watered richly…losing
the grass that your herds grazed on. Losing your cattle. Losing the milk that
came from your cattle…losing honey and herbs…losing the right to protest when
somebody in a uniform shows up to set fire to your home. What else was left to
lose?"
Zaidi’s description underscores the deep loss and disconnection that
come with displacement, particularly for indigenous communities. It’s not
merely about physical relocation but about the loss of a way of life, of
cultural and spiritual connections to the land, and of the basic resources
needed for survival. This is the kind of displacement that Alluri Sitarama Raju
and Komaram Bheem fought against, and it’s a displacement that continues to
this day, as corporate interests encroach upon the forests and rivers that
sustain tribal communities.
Climate Change and Environmental Justice
The connection between displacement and climate change is also critical.
Indigenous communities, who have traditionally lived in harmony with their
natural environments, are often the first to feel the impacts of environmental
degradation. As forests are cleared for development, not only do these
communities lose their homes and livelihoods, but the destruction of these
ecosystems also accelerates climate change. Deforestation contributes to the
increase in greenhouse gases, disrupts local climates, and reduces
biodiversity—all of which have far-reaching consequences for the planet.
Rajamouli’s decision to frame RRR as a nationalist epic, focusing
on the fight against the British Raj, sidesteps these urgent environmental
issues. By doing so, the film misses an opportunity to connect the historical
struggles of Raju and Bheem to contemporary movements for environmental
justice. A film that recontextualized their resistance as a fight for the
preservation of land, water, and forests—resources that are crucial not only
for the survival of indigenous communities but for the health of the
planet—could have had a significant impact on raising awareness about climate
change. . . .
If you're intrigued by how S.S. Rajamouli's RRR reimagines the legacy of tribal heroes Alluri Sitarama Raju and Komaram Bheem, and how this cinematic reinterpretation intersects with contemporary issues of nationalism, displacement, and environmental justice, you’ll find the full analysis here. Read the full article.
