Koduri Srisaila Sri Rajamouli, known as Rajamouli, is an Indian film director and screenwriter who primarily works in Telugu cinema. He is renowned for his action, fantasy, and epic genre films. Rajamouli holds the distinction of being the highest-grossing Indian director of all time and is also the highest-paid director in India. He has received numerous national and international honors, including a Padma Shri from the Government of India and a place on Time's list of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2023.

Rajamouli has been hailed as the biggest Indian film director ever and is considered India's most significant director by film trade analyst Komal Nahta and professor Rachel Dwyer. He has directed twelve feature films, all of which have been successful at the box office. Three of his films, "Baahubali: The Beginning" (2015), "Baahubali 2: The Conclusion" (2017), and "RRR" (2022), rank among the top six highest-grossing films in India to date. These films were also the most expensive Indian films ever made at the time of their release. "Baahubali 2" currently holds the record as the highest-grossing film in India and sold over 100 million tickets during its box office run.

One of Rajamouli's notable films is the 2009 fantasy action film "Magadheera," which was the highest-grossing Telugu film at the time of its release. Another film, "Eega" (2012), won several awards at the Toronto After Dark Film Festival, including the Most Original Film category. The Baahubali films received international recognition, with "Baahubali 2" winning the Best International Film at the Saturn Awards. Rajamouli's recent film, "RRR," also garnered 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 known for their epic grandeur, stylized action sequences, larger-than-life characters, and integration of CGI with practical effects. He has been credited with pioneering the pan-Indian film movement through his Baahubali films, expanding the market for Telugu and South Indian cinema into North India and international markets.

In his early life, Rajamouli was born on October 10, 1973, in a Telugu family to V. Vijayendra Prasad and Raja Nandini. His parents hail from Andhra Pradesh, with his father from Kovvur near Rajahmundry and his mother from Vizag. Rajamouli grew up in a joint family with his father, five brothers, and their families. His father and uncle had a passion for filmmaking, and the family faced financial challenges during Rajamouli's childhood. Despite this, Rajamouli developed a passion for storytelling from a young age, influenced by Indian epics, Amar Chitra Katha comics, and films. He did not pursue further formal education but instead focused on his interest in films and storytelling.

Rajamouli's father later established himself as a screenwriter, and the family moved to Madras (now Chennai) to pursue filmmaking. They faced financial difficulties and lived in a two-room apartment, but Rajamouli recalls that they maintained a positive outlook. Eventually, his father co-produced and directed a film called "Ardhangi" (1996) with their life savings. This film marked a turning point for the family, and Rajamouli's father