Tldr – Rajamouli is in form. He can do no wrong now. Maniratnam has lost his sheen anyway.

In 2022, Ponniyin Selvan by Rajamouli would still kick ass. He is top form and he would have effortlessy recreated the same magic from Baahubali. The producers would still be in the bank, counting their money.

In fact after watching PS 2 I am sure that Rajamouli from any period from 2009 till now would have knocked the epic out of the park. Elevation, story telling, grandeur and action have always been his strong areas.

RRR by MR in 2022 wouldn’t have worked. The story isn’t that great and without Rajamouli ‘s over the top elevation, the film would have fallen flat.

But MR from before 2000? A period setting and a movie about 2 friends told in his own style and backed by Sujata? That would have been good. However he would have definitely written in a romantic angle where both the heroines chase down their heroes madly. I would loved to see a film like that. I like all Mani films of the 90s. They still hold up well. I am still not saying the film might work commercially, but I’m guessing it would be good.

I mean how about Mohanlal as an aspiring police officer and Rajni as a tribesman taking on the British? Doesn’t sound bad to me.