Sensation is his middle name. What appears to be a risky proposition for every film maker becomes experiment for him. Maverick film maker Ramgopal Varma continues to hog limelight not only for his comeback to Tollywood but also for the way he makes movies. His Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appala Raju a spoof on Telugu cinema has evoked lukewarm response at the box office.Varma however says he wanted to make a film on film industry not to criticise anyone but to showcase the emotions involved in the industry."I had this subject since the past five years. I am a film maker and hence can't make movie on construction business. I only know showbusiness and hence choose to make a film on the journey of an amatuer film maker in Tollywood.
Unlike in any other profession, the emotions, aspirations, ambitions, likes and dislikes in film industry are extremely high due to the focus on the stars by the media and people. Unlike on any other industry, every one has an opinion on cinema and thinks he can make it better. My film captured all these emotions and factors" Varma claims. Are there any similarities between the journey of onscreen hurdles of Appalraju and real life struggles of Varma?" Appalraju is a genuine guy who thinks straight. He doesn't know how to manipulate people and lie. He is zapped by the people. But I was not like that. I used to con people and behave according to their nature. I understood people mentality and worked according to that. So, I never had to face such hurdles.
The story of this film is drawn from the experiences of several film makers in the industry and I have seen it happening to many."In an industry where elephant size egos thrive and stars take offense to anything even remotely sarcastic, Varma included a song taking potshots at directors and their genre of cinema. Besides, a starkid was shown in poor light in this film. He however opines that the industry has taken this with a pinch of salt."People in the industry took the song in their own stride. I wonder if I would have done this film 15 years ago. I didn't bitch about anyone in particular in this film. It was all situational and nothing personal. I have nothing against starkids too.It is natural for them to get an easy way in the industry as their dads are stars. Non star kids should blame their fathers for not being stars" he laughs.
Ramgopal Varma shot 'Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appala Raju' on ARRI Alexa camera and his upcoming film 'Dongala Muta' on canon5D camera. Dongala Muta was shot in a record number of four and a half days and is gearing up for release next month. Varma however, says he hasn't done the film to prove a point but to really experiment with the latest technology."In film industry, people are scared to experiment new technology. I knew we could shoot this film in such short span of time and hence tried this. To make a film like this in such digital era, shouldn't take more than five days. I get bored fast and want excitement every time and hence tried this new technology. If this proves successful, it can revolutionise film making process" he claims.Even as Varma remains in headlines with his experiements here, rumours are rife that he has left Mumbai for good and is all set to settle down in Tollywood now.He however, rubbishes them saying,"I am going to make 'Department' with Amitabh Bachan, Abhishek and Sanjay Dutt post June. I will now make Amma a 3d film in Hindi and Telugu for which I will have to go to Mumbai again. I will go where my work takes me" varma says on a parting note.
Article Involves:: Ram Gopal Varma, Amitabh Bachan
