Ram Gopal Varma is back in his element after a three-year hiatus with crime drama Veerappan. The filmmaker says he took a break to reevaluate his work.
“I wanted to take time out and [look] at the things that I was doing. I was getting repetitive and working with the same people and with an insane mindset. I wanted to shape myself, wanted to... rejuvenate myself,” Varma said.
Known for hit underworld dramas Satya, Company and Sarkar, Varma’s last two films The Attacks of 26/11 and Satya 2 failed to make a mark at the box office. However, he continued to make films in south India.
When asked if it was a risk to take a break from Hindi films, he shot back saying, “No”.
“I don’t think that way. People eventually look at the product [the film]... whether the director is there or not there, [it] doesn’t make a difference. Usually the product speaks for itself,” he added.
The director had a tough him as his films were not able to garner the attention of the audience, and he was written off in the press and social media. But he said such things did not discourage him.
“People have mouths and every mouth has an opinion. I am too busy doing my own things that I don’t register things or what people are saying. Today we just keep commenting on everything under the sun, be it about politicians, our neighbours, and events etc,” Varma said.
“I think it happens. It’s part and parcel of being a human being. I don’t think there is any offence that one should take,” he added.
With Veerappan, Varma returns to Bollywood after three years. The film is based on the life of Indian bandit Veerappan, and the events leading to Operation Cocoon to capture and kill him.
Starring Sachiin Joshi, Usha Jadhav and Lisa Ray, the film is slated to release in India on May 27.
When asked why he chose to make Veerappan as his comeback, Varma says, “I have an affinity towards dark and larger-than-life rebellious people. The fact is that I was interested in Veerappan as a subject [for] years and years.”
