Ahead of Ranbir Kapoor’s Ramayana, Ram Gopal Varma calls making mythological films ‘dangerous’: ‘You can’t try this in our country’

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As a die-hard fan of Ram Gopal Varma, I wholeheartedly agree with his perspective on the delicate nature of making mythological films in today’s era. Having witnessed his illustrious career spanning decades and diverse genres, it is evident that he speaks from a wealth of experience and insight.

As a devoted admirer, I’m sharing insights from Ram Gopal Varma, the renowned filmmaker known for his bold perspectives. Lately, he delved into the popular trend of mythological films in India. He labeled the process of creating these movies as ‘risky,’ elaborating that while they were profitable in the past, their current potential at the box office is minimal unless they stir up controversy. Furthermore, Varma proposed innovative ways to narrate these tales to prevent religious disputes.

During an interview with Galatta Plus, Ram Gopal Verma expressed concerns about the trend of creating mythological films, such as a three-part Ramayana, noting that while these stories remain popular despite being familiar to audiences, it’s tricky to approach them due to two main reasons. Firstly, attempting to present these well-known tales in a unique way can sometimes backfire. Secondly, given the reverence with which these stories are held in our country, he believes that tackling them can be risky business in both ways.

Ram Gopal Varma pointed out that in the past, films like Babubhai Mistry’s Sampurana Ramayana and NT Rama Rao’s mythological productions were successful. He explained that nowadays, these stories are held with more respect, but also face increased controversy and analysis because of social media and differing perspectives on their meanings.

The individual pointed out that Adipurush by Om Raut, a project that has received considerable criticism, was his focus. A large part of the negative response centered around Saif Ali Khan’s portrayal and the representation of Hanuman. He underscored that this continuous analysis makes it quite challenging to approach such subjects due to the inherent risk involved. Yet, he commended the filmmakers for their dedication and expressed his hopes for their success.

When the interviewer pointed out that filmmakers strive to engage younger audiences who might not know mythological tales, the director proposed an alternative title if that was the intention. He contended that labeling the movie as Ramayana might stir controversy, so a fresh narrative without that association could be preferable. He clarified that advertising Adipurush as Prabhas’ film would create a distinct impression compared to promoting it as Ramayana. He pondered why tackle such a delicate subject when it could be presented as something completely new to bypass potential backlash.

In terms of his professional journey, Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) kick-started his directing career in 1989 with the Telugu movie titled “Siva.” Over time, he has been responsible for various critically acclaimed films such as Rangeela, Satya, Kaun, Jungle, Company, Bhoot, Sarkar, Rakta Charitra 1, and its sequel, Rakta Charitra 2.

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2024-08-03 11:39