This week and the next will see two directors living their passion — Ram Gopal Varma is out with Satya2 after toying with the idea for over a year. And Sanjay leela Bhansali is all set to unveil his dream project Ram-leela. Both are known to make cult cinema which impacts the audiences hugely. But will their offerings be commercial hits as wellIJ Deebashree Mohanty talks to the ace filmmakers to bring you a story on their hopes and aspirations
Satya 2 and Ram-leela have been in the news ever since the movies went on to the floor. Now, with the release of one and speculation over the other, the debate over their box office fate has peaked. But, the two directors say they are far from the Rs 100 crore aspirations. For Ram Gopal Varma and Sanjay leela Bhansali, movie-making is a passion which, they say, will continue to propel them into making cinema, box office collections notwithstanding.
“I have always made movies I believe in. I wanted to experiment with the thriller zone when everyone was going with the tried and tested romantic theme. Some of my films clicked while others were trashed. But I am in love with all my films. Each one is special,” Varma says.
He tells you that unwanted controversies around his films have become almost a part and parcel of life for him. “It’s become routine. Nothing surprises or touches me emotionally anymore. I am prepared to deal with every situation. I do not understand where these ugly controversies come from but I am happy that my films are being talked about. Even loose talk gives my films publicity,” Varma says.
His latest outing at the BO is also laced with controversy. Satya2 was tagged as his last film on the underworld, thanks to life threats on him. Then there was a furore about certain controversial names that RGV used in the film (like Gurdeep Sardesai for a media baron). And, finally, there were rumours that the film’s release had been delayed because RGV had issues with the production company.
“All this is speculation. I am never scared of voicing my opinion. I am an artist and films are my expression. Nothing can deter me from making movies,” RGV says.
For Bhansali, too, criticisms have only helped him mature as a filmmaker. The director tells you baseless controversies don’t frazzle him. “It’s a bitter-sweet pill. If you have to be a successful person in Bollywood, you must learn to accept this. It happens in all spheres of work. People learn to live with it. There are some like me who know how to turn negative vibes into positive thoughts,” Bhansali says. For him, Ram-leela is not for a mass audience. like always, he expects only a niche audience to come to the hall. “My films are never meant to get people in droves to cinema halls. Of course box office collections matter at the end of the day but that is not the only parameter to judge a film’s worth. I want people to soak in the magic of Ram and leela. The team has put in a lot of hardwork and the end result is quite fantastic,” Bhansali insists.
While Bhansali spent six months getting every minute detail right, RGV did not have to push himself too hard for Satya2. “I knew what I wanted. The scripting was done and the cast decided. The only thing was to get the final step co-ordinated. I owe it to my assistant directors and actors who knew came up to my expectations. Initial reviews have been great and I am hoping a lot more people will come to watch this film,” Varma, who asserts that Satya2 is not a sequel to Satya, says. According to him S2 is more intense and political. Though he is aware that comparisons will be drawn with his pathbreaking 1998 Satya, he is hoping that people see this film with a new perspective. “It has different characters and a very different storyline. We have also managed to set a different premise,” Varma clarifies.
RGV, who has a lot of respect for Bhansali, says he is one of the most talented directors in the industry today. “SlB is Bollywood’s Spielberg. Always experimenting, always on the lookout for new concepts. I like the way he characterises every plot. Guzarish was good cinema. Unfortunately, Bhansali has not tasted success as he should have,” Varma says.
Though oceans apart in genres, the two directors are one in not bothering about their films releasing within a week of each other. “You have no control over dates. If you have confidence in your film no one can stop it from becoming a hit. I am definitely going to watch Satya2. Underworld drama told in RGV style is a must-watch,” Bhansali says.
The directors apart, the young star cast of both films is confident that the films will rock. Ranveer Singh, an underworld politics fan, says he cannot wait to watch Satya2 and his co-star in Ram leela, Deepika Padukone expresses her desire to work with RGV at least once. “That will be a dream come true. That day, I would have arrived in the industry,” Padukone said at a recent Press conference.
Popular film critic Komal Nahata summarises it thus: “let’s sit back and soak in everything that these veterans present to us. Both movies have the ingredients to leave a lasting impression at the BO,” he says.