RRR's VFX Breakdown: How 75% of 'Practical Effects' Were Actually CGI
S.S. Rajamouli’s RRR exploded onto the global cinematic scene with its larger-than-life action, stunning visuals, and emotionally charged storytelling. It set a new benchmark for Indian cinema, capturing audiences not only in South Asia but around the world. From flaming motorcycles and roaring tigers to collapsing bridges and airborne chariots, RRR looked like a symphony of raw power and practical stunts — but what if we told you that nearly 75% of those so-called "practical effects" were actually CGI?
Yes, a majority of the jaw-dropping visuals that felt real and tactile were digitally constructed or enhanced. In this article, we’ll break down how the VFX team behind RRR used computer-generated imagery to elevate the film’s epic scale while cleverly blending it with live-action elements, fooling even the most eagle-eyed viewers into believing they were seeing raw, on-set action.
The Illusion of Practical Effects
When RRR was first released, many viewers praised it for its visceral action sequences and believable physical effects. Much of the film’s aesthetic leaned into real-world physics, making everything from the jungle battle to the Delhi revolution sequence appear practically shot. But behind this illusion was an advanced digital workflow powered by multiple visual effects studios — most notably Makuta VFX, a Hyderabad-based studio that had worked with Rajamouli on Baahubali.
The trick was not to make the CGI look spectacular, but to make it look invisible. Unlike the over-the-top sheen of Hollywood blockbusters, RRR’s VFX work was grounded. The CG elements blended so well with physical environments, real textures, and live lighting that they seamlessly enhanced, rather than dominated, the story.
Creating Digital Animals
One of the most discussed elements of RRR was its use of animals in intense sequences — especially in the scene where Bheem unleashes a truckload of wild beasts into a colonial garden party. While these creatures behaved convincingly and looked like they had been trained for the film, none of them were real.
Every single animal — from the tiger and leopard to the deer and wolves — was digitally created. Makuta VFX used motion capture, reference footage, and dynamic fur simulations to construct lifelike digital animals that interacted believably with the actors and their surroundings. To avoid ethical issues and ensure maximum control, real animals were never used in filming, and their presence was entirely post-production magic.
Digital Set Extensions and Environment Creation
While many of the film’s exterior scenes look like they were shot in sprawling locations across India, a surprising amount of RRR was filmed on contained sets or green-screen stages. Through VFX, entire cities, forests, and landscapes were digitally created or extended.
Take the train bridge sequence, for example — a climactic moment that involves a fiery rescue over a collapsing structure. The bridge, the river below, and even the smoke-filled sky were almost entirely created in CGI. Only a small section of the bridge was physically built on set; the rest was added digitally, including the flames and debris. By combining practical stunt work with digital destruction, the filmmakers crafted a set piece that felt authentic, dangerous, and visually grounded.
Fire, Water, and the Elements
One of the standout features of RRR is its use of elemental metaphors — fire and water — that mirror the personalities of its lead characters, Raju and Bheem. These elements are represented not only in the narrative but also in the film’s visual language.
CGI played a massive role in amplifying these effects. The raging fire surrounding Raju in the prison rescue scene wasn’t practically lit on set but was digitally added in post. The fire had to look fierce, unpredictable, and alive — characteristics that could be controlled better with digital simulations than real flames.
Similarly, water sequences, such as the dam breach and river dives, involved extensive VFX. Simulating water with realistic motion, light refraction, and physical interaction is notoriously difficult, yet RRR pulled it off flawlessly thanks to advanced fluid dynamics software and a meticulous rendering process.
Face Replacement and Digital Doubles
Another invisible use of VFX in RRR was the creation of digital doubles — 3D models of the lead actors used in complex stunt sequences. During scenes where characters are flying through the air, getting thrown by explosions, or riding animals, digital doubles were seamlessly composited into the shots.
Makuta VFX used high-resolution facial scans and performance data to make these digital versions look indistinguishable from the real actors. In some cases, real stuntmen performed the base movements, and the actors’ faces were digitally mapped onto their bodies in post-production — a process known as "face replacement."
Motion Control and Crowd Simulation
Some of the film’s most epic shots involve vast crowds, especially in rebellion scenes and during the flag-burning climax. While extras were used for close-ups, much of the large-scale crowd work was digitally generated using crowd simulation software.
Motion control cameras and pre-planned movement paths allowed filmmakers to shoot base elements that were later multiplied into hundreds or thousands of digital participants. The use of AI-driven simulation helped randomize clothing, movement patterns, and facial expressions, adding realism to these large-scale scenes without needing massive physical crowds on set.
Why Hide the CGI?
Rajamouli and his team didn’t hide the use of CGI to be deceptive — they did it to immerse the viewer. The ultimate goal of visual effects isn’t to be noticed, but to serve the story without drawing attention to themselves. In RRR, the VFX team succeeded in making digital enhancements feel like organic parts of the film’s physical world.
By using CGI to extend sets, simulate impossible stunts, and create lifelike creatures, they enabled a scale and spectacle that practical effects alone couldn’t achieve. Yet, thanks to thoughtful direction and expert compositing, these effects never overwhelmed the viewer — they enhanced the drama, rather than upstaged it.
Conclusion
RRR is a masterclass in how digital effects can be used not just to impress, but to enhance storytelling. While the film markets itself as relying heavily on practical action, the truth is that much of what feels practical is digitally crafted. With about 75% of its "practical effects" actually being CGI, RRR demonstrates that when VFX is used skillfully, the line between the real and the artificial disappears — and what’s left is pure cinematic magic.
Disclaimer:
This article is intended for informational and entertainment purposes only. All technical details are based on publicly available information and interviews. The use of CGI and VFX in RRR is a collaborative effort by numerous visual effects artists and studios, and any percentages mentioned are estimations, not official figures.
