Ram Gopal Varma is a great filmmaker, known for his excellent films. He is also known for his outspoken nature and never shies away from speaking his mind. During a recent interaction, the Satya director praised The Kerala Story starring Adah Sharma, directed by Sudipto Sen and backed by Vipul Shah.
The Kerala Story starring Adah Sharma was released in theatres last year. The film is based on the story of a group of women from Kerala who were allegedly forced to convert to Islam and join ISIS. Despite receiving mixed response due to its controversial subject, the film became a box office success by grossing over Rs 300 crore.
Speaking to Galatta India, Ram Gopal Varma shed light on the uncertainty of the filmmaking business. He recalled renowned composer AR Rahman saying that when he composes a tune, he thinks it will be the “blockbuster of the year”. However, when the song is actually released, “people ignore it.” He mentioned that people don’t even dislike it, but pretend it doesn’t exist.
Citing personal experience, he said, “All my hits were accidental and all my flops were intentional because I put the same amount of effort into them.” He further said that The Kerala Story is “one of the best films” he has seen in a long time, but expressed disappointment over its sequel, Bastar: The Naxal Story, which failed to do well at the box office.
He said, “I was very happy with this film, The Kerala Story. It is one of the best films I have seen in many years. I spoke to the director (Sudipto Sen), I spoke to the producer (Vipul Shah), I spoke to the actress (Adah Sharma). Then, I was shocked to find that the next film (Bastar: The Naxal Story) came, released and went, and I didn’t even know about it… It came and everyone ignores it… How do you explain it.”
He ended his answer with a laugh, saying it goes back to “that same Rahman story” and nobody knows (what will work). He then quoted the philosopher Socrates’ line, ‘The only thing I know is nothing.’ The filmmaker observed that Indian directors offer audiences ‘proposal films’, which are meant to satisfy a star’s ego, rather than something more meaningful and memorable.
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