Ram Gopal Varma criticises Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan acting skills: ‘Demigods can’t be characters’

Indian filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) recently shared his perspective on the difference between stars and actors, claiming that legends like Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan may not be the best actors due to their larger-than-life "demigod" status.

Rajinikanth’s iconic status

In an exclusive interview with Pinkvilla, RGV expressed skepticism about Rajinikanth's ability to take on character-driven roles, particularly one as complex as Bhikhu Mhatre (played by Manoj Bajpayee in Satya).

He commented, “I don’t think Rajinikanth can do a Bhikhu Mhatre,” adding, “Without slow motion, I don’t know if Rajinikanth can exist.”

According to RGV, the actor's signature slow-motion moments are central to his appeal, with fans drawn to his larger-than-life persona.

RGV suggested that audiences might find it underwhelming to see Rajinikanth in a more grounded, non-glamorous role.

Amitabh Bachchan’s “demigod” persona

The director also criticised a particular scene involving Amitabh Bachchan, where the legendary actor portrayed a character suffering from a stomach ache.

“I don’t want to see Amitabh Bachchan having a stomachache,” RGV remarked, explaining that viewers often regard these icons as “demigods,” and seeing them in ordinary, relatable situations doesn’t resonate with audiences.

Learning from failure with Bachchan

Despite these critiques, RGV has worked with Bachchan on multiple projects, including Sarkar, Sarkar Raj, Rann, and the infamous RGV Ki Aag.

In a separate interview with Galatta Plus, RGV took responsibility for the film's failure, admitting he felt guilty for the negative reception, especially since Bachchan had risked his own reputation by agreeing to star in it.

“The fact that the film became a laughing stock is on me, not him,” RGV said.

Evolution of Sarkar

RGV also revealed that Sarkar was originally intended to be Nayak in 1993, with Naseeruddin Shah and Sanjay Dutt in the lead. However, due to Dutt’s arrest in connection with the 1993 bomb blasts, the project was shelved.

RGV later shifted focus to Anaganaga Oka Roju (1996), a successful Telugu action-comedy, before eventually revisiting the concept of Sarkar in 2005 with Amitabh Bachchan.

Recently, Malayalam actor Alencier Ley Lopez sparked controversy by criticising the acting abilities of both Amitabh Bachchan and Rajinikanth, calling their performances “over the top” during a promotional event for his upcoming film Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal.

In a bold statement, Alencier remarked, “I realised Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan don’t know how to act.” His comments caught many off guard, as he openly challenged the legendary acting styles of the two icons.

Recalling a dramatic courtroom scene, Alencier shared, “Rajini sir did his scene and walked out. Then came the next performance. And suddenly, like a roaring lion, Amitabh Bachchan’s voice filled the courtroom. The judge (me) was startled. That moment, I realized I could never live up to their performances.”