Paul and Corey Cross the Streams is a bi-monthly podcast in which hosts Paul Pakler and Corey Pepper watch and review streaming content. It’s the Great American Podcast where two friends learn about life as they float down the river of streaming services.

Let’s put on a show! It’s season 8 for Paul and Corey Cross the Streams, and this season we’re watching musicals. It’s a singular art form with a dynamic history, and we get to listen to a lot of cast recordings…

For his first episode, Corey chose the international smash-hit, the Tollywood (India) film, RRR (2022). Directed and written by S. S. Rajamouli, the film is a fictional and fictionalized account of the meeting of two Indian revolutionaries, Komaram Bheem and Alluri Sitarama Raju, during the British Raj.

The film is a blast: action-packed, singing and dancing, compelling drama, excellent VFX, brilliant (fight) choreography, and more, as it tells the exciting story of rising up against colonial oppression. But. The film exists in a political and economic context, specifically the current rule of Hindu nationalism and the long-established caste system in India, that international viewers might not know or understand. And for as much fun as it is to root for our protagonists in their fight against racist imperialism and colonialism, the film may not be as progressive in its political positions on oppression and exploitation as it purports.

It’s a nuanced and interesting conversation on a thrilling film.

This Episode’s Focus: RRR (2022)
Host’s Choice: Corey Pepper
Stream on: Netflix
Corey’s Recipe Recommendations for This Episode: Mulligatawny Soup and Chicken Tikka Masala

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Special thanks to Tobin for our incredible theme song and Dave Droxler for our podcast’s logo and artwork.