Interest

New Japanese Play to Adapt Indian Film RRR

The Indian live-action film RRR is inspiring yet another stage play after the first Takarazuka Revue's two-part stage play's success. Renowned theater group Takarazuka Revue staged RRR × TAKA"R"AZUKA ~√Bheem~ in 2024, with its second part RRR × TAKA"R"AZUKA ~√Rama~ slated for August 29, 2026. Now actors Yū Shirota and Matsuya Onoe, and director Takaya Tani are producing a new play adapting the film under Umeda Arts Theater.

The new play is scheduled for March 2027. The Osaka performances will take place from March to April 2027. The Fukuoka performances will take place in April 2027 and the Tokyo performances will take place in May 2027.

RRR × TAKA"R"AZUKA ~√Rama~ will be staged at the Takarazuka Grand Theater in Hyogo from August 29 to October 11, and also at the Tokyo Takarazuka Theater in Tokyo from October 31 through December 13. Members of Takarazuka's Star Troupe are again starring in the show, including Chisei Akatsuki and Chizuru Uta.

S. S. Rajamouli's Telugu-language RRR film opened in theaters in March 2022. The film opened in Japanese theaters in October 2022 and had earned 2.2 billion yen (approximately ₹1,27,69,92,791) as of July 2023. It is the highest-earning Indian film in Japan ever. Some theaters in Japan hosted "cheering screenings" for the film where audiences can yell out at the screen in support and throw confetti.

Japanese director Makoto Shinkai spoke of his fondness of the film during his most recent visit to India for the premiere of his Suzume (Suzume no Tojimari) film in April 2023. Game director Hideo Kojima often makes references to the film on his socials. Japan's Good Smile Company — known for its Nendoroid and Figma figures that mainly cover anime franchises as well as video games, vocaloid, and VTubers — released Pop Up Parade figures of characters Komaram Bheem and Alluri Rama Raju in January 2024.

The film won "Best Original Song" at the 95th Academy Awards in 2023.

Sources: Stage Natalie, Cinema Today