In a historic move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the inclusion of a new category — Achievement in Stunt Design — beginning from the 100th edition of the Oscars in 2028. The announcement has sent waves of celebration across global film communities, especially in India, where fans of RRR are ecstatic over the fact that a still from the action-packed period film was featured in the official reveal by the Academy.
For decades, filmmakers, stunt coordinators, and action choreographers around the world have called for official recognition of stunt work in cinema. While many behind-the-scenes crafts have long enjoyed Oscar glory, stunt professionals — despite their immense contribution to cinematic impact and box office appeal — were left without a dedicated category. That will now change, as the 2028 Oscars will finally honor one of the most physically demanding and visually thrilling aspects of filmmaking.
The Academy’s statement read, “Stunts have always been part of the magic of movies. Now, they’re part of the Oscars. The Academy has created a new annual award for Achievement in Stunt Design—beginning with the 100th Oscars in 2028, honoring films released in 2027.” The announcement image carried a still from RRR, showcasing actor Ram Charan in one of the film’s most memorable action sequences — his high-voltage face-off with a tiger during the interval block. This particular sequence, celebrated for its intensity and visual grandeur, became one of the film’s standout moments, contributing to RRR’s international acclaim.
Director SS Rajamouli, known for pushing the boundaries of Indian cinema with grand storytelling and groundbreaking action, expressed joy and gratitude for the recognition. Taking to social media, Rajamouli thanked the Oscars committee for acknowledging the craft of stunt design and was particularly thrilled to see RRR being featured. For Rajamouli, this new category also seems like a new goalpost. His upcoming film SSMB 29, starring Mahesh Babu, is already in motion, and fans are speculating that the director will aim to make it a strong contender for the inaugural stunt Oscar.
If reports hold true, SSMB 29 is slated for a March 27, 2027 release — the same date that RRR hit theatres. This clever scheduling could position the film perfectly for consideration at the centennial edition of the Oscars in 2028. Known for his uncompromising commitment to quality and cinematic scale, Rajamouli is expected to pour even more attention into the action sequences of SSMB 29 in light of the new Oscar category.
Producer DVV Danayya, who backed RRR, also took to social media, expressing pride in the film’s inclusion in the Oscar announcement. The official handle of DVV Entertainments tweeted, “The Legendary Saga Continues! Proud and elated to see #RRRMovie featured in the prestigious #Oscars announcement! 💥” The excitement isn’t limited to the film’s crew. Fans of Ram Charan have taken to social platforms to celebrate the inclusion of their favorite star’s iconic visual in the Academy’s historic announcement. The moment is being hailed as another win for Indian cinema on the global stage, and it’s one that reinforces RRR's legacy as a film that transcended borders.
The inclusion of a Stunt Design category is expected to bring overdue recognition to thousands of stunt coordinators, performers, and action directors around the world. With increasing attention on high-octane cinematic experiences across all genres — from superhero films to historical epics — the Academy’s move is being applauded as a timely and welcome change. As 2028 approaches, the global film industry will now have a new benchmark for excellence in action storytelling. And with SS Rajamouli already setting sights on that honor, the journey to the first-ever Oscar for Stunt Design could very well feature another Indian masterpiece leading the charge.
