Blockbuster Telugu filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli won the Best Director Award for RRR at the New York Film Critics Circle on Friday, December 2. This is the second major international award for the film leading up to the Oscars next year in March after it won the Best International Film at Saturn Awards 2022. Rajamouli's Best Director award victory at the New York Film Critics Circle has left many surprised as his competitors in the list included acclaimed Hollywood filmmakers namely Steven Spielberg, Darron Aronofsky, Sarah Polley, and Gina Prince-Blythewood. Rajamouli's RRR starring Ram Charan and Jr NTR in lead roles has earned more than 1200 crores in global box office collections and is currently one of the most successful films in the history of Indian cinema, while also garnering rave reviews from critics and audiences everywhere. 

Despite the big name the film has garnered, RRR was not selected as India’s official entry for Oscars 2023. The film has been received with open arms in international markets and has thus encouraged Variance Film to push it ahead for the Academy Awards after the makers applied the movie in 14 categories under the 'For your consideration' campaign. Apart from Rajamouli bagging the Best Director award at the New York Film Critics Circle for his RRR, filmmaker Todd Field’s Tar has won the Best Picture award, while Cate Blanchett earned her Best Actress award for her performance in the film, with Colin Farrell being adjudged Best Actor for two of his performances this year - Kogonada's sci-fi drama After Yang and Martin McDonagh’s The Banshees of Inisherin.