Maverick film director Ram Gopal Varma has bounced back with two hits. His Sarkar Raj and Phoonk in Hindi proved to be highly successful at Box-office. Buoyed by the response to the Phoonk, he is releasing the film’s Telugu version Raksha. Although he has not directed the Telugu version, Raksha, has the same storyline of Phoonk. As the movie is set for grand release on September 19th. Here is exclusive chitchat with him
Are Raksha and Phoonk the same?
First and foremost, Raksha is not exact remake of Phoonk. Basic script and plotline is the same though. I didn’t direct Raksha either; Newcomer Vamsi Krishna Akella made it and stars completely local star cast with Jagapathi Babu doing the lead role. Well, Yandamuri Veerendra Nath’s novel, Tulasidalam, is the inspiration for Raksha and Phoonk. Vamsikrishna and I had discussed together on Tulalisdalam and made a story around it. Again, Tulasidalam is not adapted in totem for Raksha. Only you find the structure.
Why didn’t you direct Raksha yourself?
After Rangeela, I never stayed in Hyderabad for long days except coming to see my family here occasionally. Where as Vamsikrishna has more direct touch to the land and has command over this subject. I felt his sensibilities and knowledge about local culture helps the movie better to bring out results. Also he has strong opinions regarding the theme and direction. Raksha is better than my Phoonk.
How did you find Vamsi Krishna Akella?
He is writer and a common friend introduced him. Both of us worked on the script. I am impressed with his command over the medium and great sense of visualization.
You seem to found new hero in your camp here?
Casting Jagapathi Babu in the lead role is not my idea. Director Vamsi has taken all the creative decisions.
But you have associated with Homam!
No, I have nothing to do with Homam. I gave my moral support to it beyond that nowhere I was involved with movie.
Will you produce more films in Telugu?
Sure. But don’t have immediate concrete plans. We are working on it.
If you want to direct another Telugu film, who would be your choice as hero among the current generation of stars?
Well, I wanted to direct late great NTR but I could not. I find his grand son NTR (Jr) very fascinating. If I direct my next Telugu film with a star, then I would definitely make with him. He has great potential as actor.
You seem to be getting good hits off late after the debacle of Aag?
See hits and flops are not in our hand. No body with their right mind intends to create a flop. It happens.
General talk was that Phoonk was not that scarier compared to Bhoot?
Bhoot or for that matter my earlier Telugu film Deyyam are different kind of thrillers compared to Phoonk. It is more about black magic not about ghosts. Again fear is relative term. Some are easily get scared and some don’t.
Most people say that you hype your films that raise expectations. Don’t you think such gimmicks are harming the end results?
You need to create buzz around any movie to attract the audiences. There is nothing wrong in it. I agree that announcing Rs 5 Lakhs to the audiences who watch Phoonk alone in the theatres is a publicity gimmick. What is harm in there? We invited people. No one dared to watch it alone. Only one guy finally came and ran away in the middle. As per as mounting expectations, I don’t have anything to say. The term ‘expectations’ itself is a media-coined word. People watch movies if they like irrespective of ‘reaching expectations or not’.
Your close-ups in your movies are now being talked about widely?
If a great actor is in front of you, it is sheer crime not use his facial expressions. Face is better location on screen than the actual ‘location’s. My close ups in Sarkar and Sarkar Raj are well received because Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek and other actors in those movies have such immense screen presence. I also used close-ups effectively in Contract but due to technical glitches the output was bad.
How do you conceive such radical compositions and extraordinary camera angles?
The way one individual chooses to look at it is what which makes it look different. That is the way I choose to look at things. I don’t go deliberately to be different and put weird camera angles. Just that I see in that perspective.
Why are you so frustrated with a section of movie critics?
Frustration is strong word. My problem with some critics is that they stopped ‘reviewing’ my films, instead they are ‘criticising’ me. I don’t have any problem if they say my film is bad but they are axing personal grinds in the name of the review.
That is what prompted you to make film on media?
No, I have long been planning to expose media in all its naked glory. I feel this is the right time to make it. My next movie is on media.
