Return of the BLOODFEST

So when I decided to make a violent film,I did not think how much violence will be there,because the characters of Ravi (Paritala Ravindra),and Suri who killed him had no choice but to resort to gut-wrenching violence. It is a very volatile film with very strong emotions and the audience will empathise with that aspect.

Are you ready to face the controversies that generally come when biopics are made?
There were not many objections because it deals with people,some who are in jail while some others are dead and the public was not sure what I was making. But to establish authenticity,I spoke to the family members,and the people who were close to the key characters Paritala Ravi and Suri and they had no objection.

Generally people raise issues close to the release of a film. Are you wary?
No,lets see when or if it happens.

Not many in the Hindi-speaking belt are aware of Ravi. What will bring the audience to the theatres? Will it be the gripping story,the presentation or the performances of the main characters,Vivek Oberoi and Surya?
Rakta Charitra is the most intense story between two rival groups. I have made violent films like Satya and Company but they pale in comparison when it comes to intensity and violence. Then the whole presentation,in term of sound effects and lighting,is very different from what I have done before. Also I have never dealt with emotional outbursts of characters like I have dealt with in this film.

Is there any particular scene for which we should look out?
There are several. I cant pinpoint anyone. I think it will be an overall experience for the viewers.

Did you always have Vivek Oberoi in mind to play the protagonist?
I settled for Vivek because he has a certain attitude and vulnerability. But I was not sure whether he could tackle the Ravis complex character. However,he managed to pick up the body language and temperament of Paritala in the most remarkable way. He has gone way above my expectations.

It is the first time that a film is being released in two parts. How have you ensured the continuity without the first part ending abruptly?
The reason why it is made in two parts is because the story was too long. I couldnt do justice in two-and-a-half-hours. There is Ravi in the story and there is Suri who killed him. I made the first part as Ravis story and the second part about the man who killed him. In the first part,the issues raised will get resolved there itself. So that will give the audience the experience of watching an entire film. The second character enters in the last scene to prepare the audience for the next version. This has never been done before,so I want to see how people will react to it.

Shatrughan Sinha is rarely seen on screen these days. How did you convince him to act in your film and also shave off his moustache?
Shatrughans character is inspired by the south politician N T Rama Rao so I needed a flamboyant personality. And Shatrughan has that larger-than-life persona. It didnt take me long to convince him and it was he who suggested to do away with the moustache. It was not my idea.

How did you think of Priyamani and Zarina Wahab for the film?
Priyamani is a fantastic actress. I had seen her in Paruthiveeran,for which she won the National award. Zarina was recommended to me by one of my chief assistants. I hadnt seen her for a very long time and I was not sure whether shed agree to do the film. But she agreed immediately.

What is the most difficult thing about making biopics?
There is so much information when you do research that it becomes difficult to decide what to use and what to delete. Also,a lot of it remains in your mind and you take it for granted that whatever is in your mind is in the script,only to realise that it might not be there in the screenplay. The easy part is that I very much knew the journey of the man. There is a clear indication as how to take the story forward.

Do you ever sit and analyse when your films like Phoonk 2 and Rann dont do well?
No,I dont think there is any point. I think only when a film works you can make an analysis. At the time of Satya people dissuaded me from presenting Manoj Bajpayee in a grungy look saying that it wouldnt work. But when it worked they said that it was his look which worked. I dont think we know why things work and why they dont.

When is the status of your next venture,Department?
The film is still in the scripting stage and we begin shooting sometime in April next year. It is going to be a very stylish action film on the life of cops. Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan,Sanjay Dutt and Riteish Deshmukh have been finalised.

Actors like Riteish who have worked with you always say you keep them in splits on the sets with your one- liners. Why doesnt the media get to see the lighter side of Ram Gopal Varma?
I may look serious,but if you hear me or read my interviews I am very funny.

When will we see you making another romance like Mast?
Let me get done with the blood and gore and then maybe Ill turn my attention to romance.

Who among the current lot of directors have impressed you?
I am not into directors,but into films. For me a film is either well-directed or badly directed. And any director can go wrong on the subject,actors,shooting of the film etc.

Which Hindi film has impressed you the most?
Recently I watched Robot. I liked it but I am not capable of making a film like that. Otherwise I generally watch foreign films. But one film that has left an indelible impression on me is Shekhar Kapurs Masoom.