S S Rajamouli Honoured at France’s Institut Lumière, Joins Legends on Historic Wall of Filmmakers

Lyon, France | July 2, 2026: Filmmaker S S Rajamouli has received a major international honour at the Institut Lumière in Lyon, France, where he has been inducted into the prestigious Mur des Cinéastes (Wall of Filmmakers). The recognition places him alongside some of the most influential directors in world cinema, including Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino, Francis Ford Coppola and Clint Eastwood.

The Institut Lumière, widely regarded as the birthplace of cinema, holds special historical significance as the site where the Lumière Brothers first screened early motion pictures. The Wall of Filmmakers celebrates directors who have made a lasting impact on global cinema.

A Landmark Moment for Indian Cinema

Rajamouli’s inclusion on the wall marks a significant moment for Indian cinema on the global stage. Known for directing large scale blockbusters such as Baahubali and RRR, he has played a key role in expanding the international visibility of Indian storytelling.

His name has now been permanently added to the Wall of Filmmakers, an honour reserved for directors whose work has influenced audiences and filmmakers across the world.

Hosted by Thierry Frémaux

During his visit, Rajamouli was hosted by Thierry Frémaux, director of the Institut Lumière and head of the Cannes Film Festival. He was taken through the museum and the historic Rue du Premier-Film, the street associated with the birth of cinema.

As part of the experience, Rajamouli also attended special screenings of his films, including Eega and RRR, which were shown as part of a broader retrospective celebrating his body of work.

Emotional Unveiling at the Wall of Filmmakers

A key moment of the visit was the unveiling of Rajamouli’s plaque on the Wall of Filmmakers. The plaque, revealed during the ceremony, now stands among those of globally renowned directors, marking his place in cinema history.

Rajamouli described the experience as deeply moving and expressed gratitude for the recognition at one of the most historic film institutions in the world.

Part of a Larger Retrospective

The honour is part of a larger retrospective dedicated to Rajamouli’s filmography at the Institut Lumière, running from late June to mid July 2026. The programme features multiple screenings, audience interactions and celebrations of his cinematic journey.

Films such as Maryada Ramanna, Eega, Baahubali and RRR are part of the showcase, with several screenings reportedly drawing strong audience turnout.

Global Recognition Continues to Grow

Rajamouli’s recognition in Lyon adds to his growing global presence following the international success of RRR and the continuing legacy of the Baahubali franchise. His work is increasingly being discussed in global film circles for its scale, storytelling and cinematic ambition.

With his upcoming project Varanasi already generating interest, this latest honour further cements his position as one of the most globally recognized filmmakers from India today.