It was delectable, juicy and stimulating just like my Burger oozing out cheese. I had never been introduced to Ram Gopal Varma as someone who had a nonchalant approach towards life or someone who possessed quite an ‘in-your-face’ kind of wit that tries to grabs you by your balls when you try to grab RGV’s balls!
So far none of the TV interviews ever portrayed the guy as any of the above, which goes on to show what a lousy bunch of Bollywood reporters we have. So it pleasantly surprised me when I began knowing RGV through his ‘honest’ writings.
Essentially he comes across as an ordinary human being who could sometimes don the cap of a visionary director.
RGV’s blog is peppered with real-life experiences which at times choke you, they also reflect his ‘Bindaas’ attitude towards life.
Like, I never knew what a huge impact Michael Jackson had on RGV. “I hate Michael Jackson” was a touching tribute to MJ by Ramu.
Another post titled “Biggest thrill of my life” captures Ramu’s years as a vagabond hanging around a movie theatre absorbing cinema. This post was not only endearing but also heart warming as it shows RGV as any regular college going dude who loved movies and didn’t have enough moolah to buy tickets, so he would hang around to sniff cinema in any form available.
This struck a chord with me as I know a college mate who had a similar passion. This guy has watched Rangeela over 80 times in the movie halls and maybe 24 times or more at home on VHS and VCD. The theater manager took a liking for my friend who would watch 3 shows back to back daily when he had enough moolah. On other days the theater manager would let him watch for free. His passion for movies continued beyond Rangeela as he now owns a huge collection of DVDs and VCDs (all legal) and has run out of space for additional DVDs in his wardrobe. Its a different thing that my friend didnt turn out to be a movie director, but he sure did get to shake hands with Ramu.
RGV’s blog makes one realize how real his experiences are. Whether he sculpts a story with a camera or words he always has an interesting story to tell.
Getting back to RGV’s ball-biting humour which some may find offensive or rude, here’s some sample:
1. What is the worst gift that you have ever received?”And finally when asked to describe himself, RGV replies:
RGV: “An unlimited budget for Aag.”
2. Fuck you and fuck your limited brains.
RGV: Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!......... (In case you didn’t realize that’s me having an orgasm)
3. What will RGV’s epitaph say?
RGV: Somewhere between “Not a very nice guy” and “Not a very bad guy”
4. Can you tell us the three biggest mistakes you made w.r.t your films?
RGV: Shiva, Satya and Rangeela because they have created a benchmark and all the time I get bashed up for not living up to them. Boo hoo hoo!
I am like a hardcore porn dvd. You might hate it, love it, look down upon it or get disgusted by it but if it is in the room you can’t resist watching it.
Apart from this I am also quite a nice guy though no one agrees with me on this.
Ramu, I agree you are quite a nice guy and I love reading your blog not for inspiration or tips on life, but just because it is not pretentious or preachy unlike other movie stars who are blogging.
In fact you will not find any bibliography of his work or a section dedicated to awards or accolades, Ramu’s blog just gives you a bare minimum emotional window.
Ah, and if you are an aspiring movie maker you may also find some of the tips given by Ramu on his blog interesting such as camera movements and cinematography tips which can enrich scenes.
For me Ramu’s blog is one helluva cool site which I enjoy reading for kicks!
Way to go Ramu!
7 comments:
A nice blog about a blog! RGV Ka Blog is the most interesting blog by anyone involved with the Hindi Film Industry. He has the right amount of technical discussions, as well as stories about how his movies came about.
My personal favourite blog is how he came up with the story of Rangeela.
And the one that really can't be missed his his reaction to reactions. On any depressing day, you just have to go there and laugh out loud at the comments and the counter-comments!
As a director, I may have been disappointed with him lately. In fact, I haven't even watched his last 2 films. But as a blogger, it's the most interesting blog to read.
A nice blog about a blog! RGV Ka Blog is the most interesting blog by anyone involved with the Hindi Film Industry. He has the right amount of technical discussions, as well as stories about how his movies came about.
My personal favourite blog is how he came up with the story of Rangeela.
And the one that really can't be missed his his reaction to reactions. On any depressing day, you just have to go there and laugh out loud at the comments and the counter-comments!
As a director, I may have been disappointed with him lately. In fact, I haven't even watched his last 2 films. But as a blogger, it's the most interesting blog to read.
Hey Malo
Interesting --your comments on RGV.
The only thing I know abt RGV is that he is sposed to make horror TV/flicks - is that right? Knowledge very limited - and the other time I came across some news was his visit to the Taj - post attack.
But was interesting to get your take on him.
Madame, if I didn't know you sufficiently well enough, I would have been tempted to believe that your KFC burger was sponsored by RGV, considering your generosity for the director. Indeed the director has loads of attitude, but then the film industry is full of people with attitude, for instance, even Mahesh Bhatt has lots and lots of it.
The trouble with RGV is that, he seems to have little else except attitude. Even if we were to leave aside Aag, the last film watchable film from his stable was Company. Considering the amounts of films that he makes, it seems more of an accident than design. Indeed as you quoted him, the worst mistake of his life was indeed, Shiva, Rangeela, Satya, cos he got carried away by his own brilliance. Thesedays, except from low camera shots exposing the backside of his leading ladies, there is little creativity left in him. He is a spent force.
Thus, mam beware of 'the company' you keep, because as our elders said; you are judged by it :)
Me too a huge fan of RGV Blog... and of the man himself...
And deep inside my heart, I keep hoping that all of this is not fake like many other stars and their behaviour....
Nice post... loved reading it :-)
Shashwat, if I didnt know you too well I wouldve assumed from your comment that you are having a very biased view about RGV.
My blog is only about his blog and not an attempt to dissect RGV as a person. Its purely a blog about his blog, is that too simple to understand?
I have no inclination to dissect his films in public as that is reserved only for certain 'critics'. I have hated as well as loved RGV's films but this blog of mine is to show how much I enjoyed reading RGV's blog.
Bang on! This man is ridiculously entertaining!
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