Ram Gopal Varmas shock and awe

Has the filmmaker gone a little too far in publicising his new film?

Has the filmmaker gone a little too far in publicising his new film?

First a confession. I understand that Ram Gopal Varmas film,Not A Love Story,is readying for release,so any statements that he makes about Maria Susairaj regarding the Neeraj Grover murder case is purely to make his film garam,as they say in trade circles. We all know that shock and awe is the surefire form of publicity these days.

Understanding all that and fully realising the bait that RGV is throwing our way,I confess to have succumbed to it. I confess to be feeling nauseated with the way hes going on and on about Maria. His tweet that Now that she has been released I want to sign Maria Susairaj for a film, is in bad taste. Just like it was in bad taste when he went on a tour of the Taj Mahal Palace & Tower in Mumbai after the 26/11 terror strikes with the then-Maharashtra Chief Minister,Vilasrao Deshmukh.

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It is within a filmmakers right to become creatively inspired by a news event. RGV perhaps has a take on the Neeraj Grover murder case,which he wants to share with the world. He has already gone on record to say that his interest in the film is to understand how two seemingly ordinary everyday people can commit such a hair-raising crime. In this vein,itll be interesting to see what RGV has rustled up.

But the way hes going about on the publicity of the film makes one wonder if a sensitivity chip is missing in the once prolific filmmaker. Making a film on a sensational murder case is sensational itself and the films biggest publicity. Why then create more shock value? Has the filmmaker even spared a thought for Grovers old parents and the pain that his statements and blatant public support for Susairaj must be causing them?

Im not making a judgement call on the verdict of the Susairaj case. The court has found her guilty for destruction of evidence and after three years of jail term,she has been allowed to go home. Good or bad,thats the judgement. If there are more twists and turns in this case,then the law will take its own course.

In the meantime,RGV will continue making statements on the case to ensure that the film retains top-of-the-mind awareness. At this juncture,RGV is only thinking about his film. Since his past few releases did not find favour with his audience base,he needs a hit desperately to reclaim his erstwhile glorious position. He doesnt care about the sensitive climate surrounding the judgementthe only judgement RGV is focussed on is one that the audience will give to his film. Even as I appreciate where hes coming from,the fact remains that there are certain sacred areas that should be respected.

But is Ram Gopal Varma listening?

harneet.singh@expressindia.com