Ahead of his Best Foreign Film and Best Song win for Naatu Naatu at the 28th edition of the Critics Choice Awards, Rajamouli spoke to international publication Hollywood Reporter about RRR’s dream run at the Hollywood awards season so far (which includes the New York Film Critics Circle Award for the Best Director and a Best Original Song – Motion Picture Golden Globe for Naatu Naatu).

When asked if it was frustrating or disappointing to learn the film would not be India’s official Oscar entry, Rajamouli told the publication, “Yeah, it is disappointing. But we are not the kind of people who would sit and brood on why it didn’t happen. What has happened has happened and we should go forward with it. But I am happy because it (Chhello Show) is also an Indian film and it has also been shortlisted for Oscars. I’m quite happy for it. Of course, everyone knew RRR had a much bigger chance. Here (in the US) everyone felt RRR had a bigger chance.”

Rajamouli was also asked about The Lunchbox (2013), which wasn’t submitted for International Feature (at Oscars) either, despite many speculating that it was the sure-shot winner that year, and his view on the process of selection of India’s official entries.

The director said, “I don’t know how the committee (Film Federation of India aka FFI – which selects India’s Oscar entry), or the guidelines of the committee...how they do the stuff. I don’t know that and I can’t comment on it. What I really feel bad about for is The Lunchbox. For me...I don’t make films for critical acclaim. I make films for money, I make films for the audiences, it (RRR) is a commercial film, and once my film commercially does well, I’m very happy with it. And Awards are an extension to it. It is for the hard work that my unit put in and I’m happy for that. But for The Lunchbox, it is different. It is different and it would have been a great achievement for India – and it is not just for The Lunchbox – but for many many filmmakers and many, many films (that) would find encouragement to tell their stories to the world. So that’s a huge opportunity lost. I feel very bad for that.”

When asked if he thought RRR’s many wins will make the committee rethink its selection process, Rajamouli replied, “Hopefully”.