Ram Gopal Varma: The Maverick Filmmaker Who Redefined Indian Cinema, Now Courting Controversy Again
By Tanveer Zaidi
Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma is often hailed as one of the most visionary storytellers in Indian cinema — an auteur who dared to shatter conventions and carve out his own path.
Known for his pioneering technical brilliance and radical approach to narrative, Varma has created a legacy of films that changed how audiences perceived realism, crime, and experimentation in Bollywood.
From his breakout success with Shiva to the cult-defining Satya and critically acclaimed Company, Varma injected gritty realism into Indian cinema at a time when the mainstream was dominated by melodrama and formulaic song-and-dance routines.
He spearheaded the “Mumbai noir” genre, portraying the raw, violent, and morally complex underbelly of the city with a lens rarely seen before.
His directorial signatures — innovative camera angles, “God’s eye” perspectives, handheld shots, and docudrama-style realism — set him apart as a rule-breaker and trendsetter.
His diverse filmography spans across genres:
- Rangeela (romantic musical drama)
- Bhoot (psychological horror)
- Jungle (thriller)
- Sarkar (political-crime drama)
Each of these works showcased his versatility, while films like Satya are now counted among the greatest Indian films of all time.
Varma also broke ground by eliminating traditional Bollywood tropes — crafting commercially viable films without songs, placing emphasis on mood, story, and character arcs instead. He nurtured fresh talent, introducing many new actors who went on to become household names, thereby redefining how the industry approached casting.
The September 5 Controversy: When Inspiration Became Provocation
True to his reputation for being provocative and unapologetic, Ram Gopal Varma found himself in the middle of a storm once again on Teachers’ Day, September 5. Taking to social media, the filmmaker posted a note acknowledging the people who shaped his creative vision.
The list included stalwarts like Amitabh Bachchan, Steven Spielberg, Ayn Rand, Bruce Lee, and Sridevi — names that drew admiration and made perfect sense for a man influenced by a blend of cinema, philosophy, literature, and martial arts.
But it was the addition of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim to this list that sparked nationwide outrage.
On Twitter, Varma wrote:
“Here’s a BIG SALUTE to all the GREATS who inspired me to become whatever I became and to make whatever films I made, starting from AMITABH BACHCHAN, STEVEN SPIELBERG, AYN RAND, BRUCE LEE, SRIDEVI, and DAWOOD IBRAHIM. HAPPY TEACHERS DAY.”
The message went viral almost instantly, igniting backlash. Critics questioned whether a filmmaker of his stature should glorify or even acknowledge someone like Dawood as a source of inspiration, regardless of artistic interpretation.
Genius and Provocateur
Ram Gopal Varma’s career has always straddled a delicate balance between genius and provocation. On one hand, his work is credited with revolutionising Indian cinema by bringing realism, experimentation, and bold themes to the forefront. On the other hand, his outspoken personality and provocative statements frequently land him in controversy.
Whether one admires or criticises him, one cannot deny that Ram Gopal Varma is a cinematic pioneer — a filmmaker who challenged conventions, transformed genres, and left an indelible imprint on Indian cinema.
His legacy remains as much about his path-breaking films as about his ability to constantly provoke conversations, even decades into his career.
(Tanveer Zaidi is a Writer, Educator, and Actor)
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