He thinks people who don't like his films shouldn't watch them. This Friday, director Ram Gopal Varma gives us the option of returning to the action genre with his remake of Shiva. He tells Priyanka Jain what it's all about.
Why are you remaking Shiva? What is the difference between the original and the remake?
15 years ago, fresh out of college, I made my debut film, Shiva. I drew on experiences in college and what I saw around me. The story dealt with one man's disillusionment with college, the antisocial elements present there and how he rebels against them.
I now want to portray the underworld and police. I thought it would be interesting to take the same premise and structure a story around the Mumbai police. The similarity with the original ends here. The 'remake' is only on the premise level. It is the angst of one man rebelling against corruption. Everything, from the characters to the technology used, is different.
This Shiva is about a fresh graduate from the police academy, his foray into the police force and how he ends up fighting the system he has joined. I am trying to reinvent the genre of old action movies of the 70s and 80s. The film will create an adrenaline high. Today, family dramas and sugar-coated movies have taken a (prominent) place that action films used to enjoy earlier. I wanted to bring in a tinge of rawness and realism back to the silver screen.
You seem to have a fascination for the underworld and the police. Don't you think these movies have been done to death?
I have done films of every genre, from horror to musicals. I think the impact of Satya and Company was so high that people have a feeling I am constantly making films based on the underworld, which is not true.
Even while making James, you called it a remake of Shiva...
The idea while making James was to do 'something like Shiva', but the way it turned out was different. So, instead of making 'something like Shiva', I decided to make Shiva itself. Also, the failure of James cannot be attributed to a single factor like an actor, director or scriptwriter.
What message does the new Shiva convey?
I think if I have to convey a message, I will send a text message; why make a film? For me, the purpose of any film is purely entertainment. A message may be inherent in it for some people. My films are a mix of fiction and reality and their prime purpose is to create an emotional experience.
Is Shiva a satire on the police system?
No, it's a very pro-police film. The film talks about how a system is created by a group of people, how some people running it are corrupt and how one man stands against the very system he is a part of.
Why have you chosen Mohit Ahlawat again? Are you trying to portray him as the next angry young man?
When Mohit first came to my office, he looked straight into my eyes and I said, 'I want to work with you.' The way he looked, I thought he was going to punch me hard. So, out of fear, I cast him in James (RGV smiles even as Mohit looks amused). Mohit has a strong screen presence. I was taken by his demeanour, dignity and larger than life image, which I have tried to capture to the best of my ability in the film. He looks as if he can fight and take on ten people together. My belief in his potential made me cast him. I don't think I can make anybody a star.
There are some very violent scenes in the movie. Why do you show so much bloodshed and gore?
There is no bloodshed in the film. I cannot stand the sight of blood myself. The scenes I have shot are miniscule in comparison to the kind of violence and gory images shown on news channels today.
Is anger a predominant factor in the film?
Mohit is a cool young man, rather than an angry young man. Anybody who exhibits anger is out of control of his or her emotion. A person should be able to reason out, think and use violence only as a necessity to stop something bad from happening, based on logic and not an emotional outburst.
Is your remake of Sholay finally ready to roll, after the long delay? What do you have planned next?
There has been no delay. I had announced that the film would start in August. The technical work has begun and it will go on the floors by the end of September. Next is Nishabd, a compelling love story between a 60-year old man and 19-year old girl, and how they approach love in spite of the age gap.
Also read: The essential Ram Gopal Varma interview, Ramu Unplugged - Part I, II and III
