Academy introduces stunt design Oscar; Rajamouli celebrates RRR’s inclusion

In a historic move, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the inclusion of a brand-new category—Best Achievement in Stunt Design—set to debut at the 100th Academy Awards in 2028. The announcement, made on April 10, has sparked widespread excitement among filmmakers and stunt professionals across the globe.
One of the most thrilled voices came from Indian filmmaker SS Rajamouli, whose globally acclaimed 2022 epic RRR was featured in the official poster shared by The Academy. The artwork highlighted key action moments from RRR, Everything Everywhere All at Once and Mission Impossible, with the bold new title: Stunt Design Oscar.
The RRR visual, none other than the now-iconic tiger fight scene, a sequence that helped cement the film’s reputation as a landmark in action cinema.
Reacting to the announcement, Rajamouli expressed both joy and gratitude in a heartfelt message on X (formerly Twitter):
“At last!! After a 100 year wait!!! Ecstatic for the new Oscars stunt design category for the films releasing in 2027! Huge thanks to David Leitch, Chris O’Hara and the stunt community for making this historic recognition possible, and to @TheAcademy, CEO Bill Kramer, and President Janet Yang for honoring the power of stunt work. Thrilled to see #RRRMovie’s action visual shining in the announcement!”
The new Oscar category marks a significant milestone for the film industry, acknowledging the high-risk, high-skill artistry that goes into crafting some of cinema’s most exhilarating moments. Stunt work has long been a vital yet overlooked element of filmmaking, and this development is being hailed as a long-overdue recognition.
The Academy, in their official post, stated:
“Stunts have always been part of the magic of movies. Now, they’re part of the Oscars.”
The category will debut at the centennial edition of the Oscars in 2028, honoring films released in 2027. Meanwhile, According to latest reports, filmmaker SS Rajamouli is reportedly aiming for a March 25, 2027 release for his much-anticipated project SSMB29, starring Mahesh Babu. The choice of date holds special significance, as it coincides with the fifth anniversary of RRR, Rajamouli’s blockbuster epic featuring Ram Charan and Jr NTR. If finalised, this release date would not only mark a major cinematic event but also serve as a symbolic nod to the director’s previous global success.