Director SS Rajamouli has added another prestigious international recognition to his remarkable journey. The visionary director, whose films have taken Indian cinema to global audiences, was honored with the 2026 Goliath Award during his visit to the Lumière Institute in Lyon, France.
As part of the event, his popular films ‘Eega’ and ‘RRR’ were screened in front of a packed audience.
The tribute has become even more special as Rajamouli’s name has been permanently added to the Mur des Cinéastes (Filmmakers’ Wall), a space dedicated to some of the greatest names in world cinema.
SS Rajamouli He shares an emotional message after receiving the honor
Rajamouli took to social media to share pictures from the memorable occasion and his reflection on the emotional experience.
He wrote: “I visited the Lumière Museum and the screening room where Eega and RRR were screened to a full hall in Lyon, France. Thierry Frémaux, director of the Lumière Institute and the Cannes Film Festival, was gracious enough to introduce me. Then he said he had a surprise planned and walked me down the same street where cinema was born.”
I was really emotional about everything that was happening around me. And there’s this wall full of paintings.
Names of legends like Martin Scorsese, Clint Eastwood, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola… And then I noticed a plate covered with a red cloth. My mind went blank. I don’t even know what to say about the honor of having my name permanently placed on the Mur des Cinéastes, alongside the greats. Just gratitude. Deeply, deeply humbled. Thank you, Institut Lumiere, for a memory that I will carry for a lifetime.” His heartfelt note was quickly admired by fans and members of the film fraternity.
Another historic moment for the famous director
The latest honor cements Rajamouli’s status as one of India’s most celebrated directors on the global stage. He has directed blockbusters ‘Eega’, ‘Baahubali’, ‘Baahubali 2’ and ‘RRR’ which redefined the scale of Indian cinema and brought him global fame over the years. During his career, he has also received many prestigious awards like Padma Shri, several National Film Awards, Saturn Awards, New York Film Critics Circle Award, and Critics’ Choice Movie Award.
His global reputation reached new heights when RRR’s “Naatu Naatu” became the first song from an Indian film to win the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
SS Rajamouli is busy with ‘Varanasi’ and ‘Baahubali: The Eternal War’
While receiving this latest honor, Rajamouli is busy with his upcoming projects. His upcoming film ‘Varanasi’ with Mahesh Babu is in production and is one of the biggest Indian films in production. Also, the release of the new Baahubali animated epic titled “Baahubali: The Eternal War” directed by Ishan Shukla will expand the universe in 2027. As Rajamouli continues to receive accolades from all over the world, his influence on world cinema becomes stronger with each new achievement, making it another proud moment for Indian cinema.
