The debate over whether the homoerotic epic ‘RRR’ is a “gay love story” rages on
Netflix streaming charts, rip-roaring Indian blockbuster RRR (“Rise Roar Revolt”) continues to have Twitter buzzing—both because it’s a thrilling, highly stylized action epic and because it gives off major gay vibes.But the latter point has lead to some heated back-and-forth between fans online.
There are those who enjoy RRR all the more precisely because of the homoerotic tension between its strapping lead heroes, and then there are those who prefer not to label it a “gay movie” and just want to celebrate it for its over-the-top action set pieces.Honestly, why do the two have to be mutually exclusive—can’t RRR be both?Recently, Oscar-winning sound designer Resul Pookutty (Best Sound Mixing, Slumdog Millionaire) caught some flack for appearing to assert that RRR it not worth anyone’s time specifically because it’s a “gay love story.”Gay love story ….— resul pookutty (@resulp) July 3, 2022Admittedly, Pookutty’s not saying much at all, but, seeing that he was responding to a negative critique of the film, many users took it to mean he was bashing the film’s homoeroticism.
Though the tweet’s settings only allow the sound designer’s followers to reply, many have taken to quote-tweeting and calling him “tasteless” and “jealous” for appearing to dismiss RRR.Related: Indian action epic ‘RRR’ becomes instant gay classic for its unintentional homoerotic vibesIt wasn’t until respected Indian film producer Shobu Yarlagadda weighed in—stating he was “extremely disappointed” Pookutty would “stoop so low”—that the Oscar winner felt the need to clarify.
Pokutty replied that there was “absolutely nothing wrong even if” RRR was intentionally gay, adding that he didn’t mean any offense by his initial tweet.Agree totally.Absolutely nothing.
