Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, who has extensively worked in the Bollywood as well as the South film industries recently shed light on the current state of the Indian film industry. He even spoke about the pan-Indian phenomenon and recalled an incident when a big producer told him that the North audience would never accept a main lead like Pushpa, when the first instalment of Allu Arjun starrer had released.
Varma also opened up about the main difference between Bollywood and South filmmakers and how the former would never be able to measure up to the latter. With the massive success of Pushpa 1: The Rise and Pushpa 2: The Rule, he pointed out that Bollywood filmmakers won’t be able to replicate their success as they aren’t suited in the matter.
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In an interaction with Pinkvilla, the Satya director explained that Bollywood filmmakers are restricted to the posh Bandra area, in Mumbai. However, South directors, despite not speaking English or intellectually, are more “rooted and connected.” He adds, “They are more connected to the mass audience, which, I think, is impossible for a Bollywood director to do.”
Talking about the Pushpa franchise’s massive success, the 62-year-old filmmaker recalled an incident when a prominent film producer told him that the North audience won’t like the film much. Quoted by the Indian Express, he said, “When he saw Pushpa 1, he told someone I know, ‘North audience will puke on this guy’s face’. I don’t think it has anything to do with money, it has to do with the character. (The producer) likes a guy with a six-pack, super good-looking… He must be having nightmares now, after Pushpa 1 and 2.”
RGV goes on to mention that there is a ‘sensibility difference’ in Bollywood, which he adds has nothing to do with the audience because they would watch films from any corners of the world if it is well-made. He shares that “stars should always play stars” and not characters, because if they change, the audience will disconnect. And if one plans on changing, they should cater to “the same emotion.”
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“In Bollywood, there is too much emphasis on the story. South directors only look at scenes, they don’t care about story. A big actor once told me, ‘I never listen to the story, my only question is, Mera entry kya hai?’,” the Rangeela filmmaker concluded.
A few weeks ago, Ram Gopal Varma had taken to his official social media handle to announce his upcoming film Syndicate. In his long heartfelt post, he had called it his “BIGGEST film ever” and revealed that its tagline is “Only Man Can Be The Most Terrifying Animal.” In his post, he had vowed to wash away all his cinema sins, that he has committed over the years, with a single film called Syndicate. He concluded his tweet by stating that he will be announcing the cast and other details very soon.
