Ram Gopal Varma, or simply RGV, is one of the most controversial and acclaimed filmmakers in Indian cinema. His work is known for its innovative storytelling and creative realism. Varma’s version of Telugu and Bollywood cinema is a masterpiece in its own right. Here is a list of five films that we feel define his genius.
Satya (1998)
Varma’s magnum opus is, of course, Satya. The film is sometimes lauded for ‘the defining moment’ of the Indian gangster genre. A very uncensored view ensures that there is no sugarcoating about the Mumbai underworld, with the focus on a man going through a tremendous amount of struggle due to false accusations. The portrayal of Bhiku Mhatre by Manoj Bajpayee is nothing short of a masterpiece. His performance, along with the film’s realistic storyline, innovative scripts, and crime-dramatic music by Vishal Bhardwaj, set new milestones for India. Bollywood is now deemed to have vastly advanced its cinematic quality due to Satya.
Shiva (1989/1990)
Shiva marks the entry of Varma in the Telugu industry as a debutant director. It was later dubbed in Hindi. His work was so inspiring that it sparked remakes of his films. Mounting violence and corruption amongst students alongside politics in schools is what the film aims to target. Starring Nagarjuna Akkineni, the film was a hit due to the impeccable storyline, top-class direction, and astonishing soundtracks composed by Ilaiyaraaja made it a trendsetter. Shiva is praised for transforming the image of youth and rebellion in Indian cinema.
Company (2002)
As a follow-up to Satya, Company depicts the rise and decline of a criminal empire, loosely based on the notorious D-Company. It stars Ajay Devgn and Vivek Oberoi, and exposes the inner workings of organised crime. The film’s sharp dialogues, realistic portrayal of the underworld, and powerful performances solidified Varma’s reputation as the master of crime thrillers.
Rangeela (1995)
Stepping away from his trademark dark themes, Varma made the vibrant romantic musical Rangeela. It depicts a middle-class girl’s dreams of Bollywood and the love and ambition that come along with it. Rangeela was a cultural phenomenon thanks to Urmila Matondkar’s dazzling performing debut, Aamir Khan’s sparkling charm, and AR Rahman’s sensational music for his Bollywood debut. The film is still praised for its fresh narrative and stunning visuals.
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Kaun? (1999)
Kaun? is a psychological thriller that has viewers glued to the edge of their seats. It is a showcase of suspense. Set almost entirely in a single house, it stars Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpayee. Varma skillfully keeps the rhythm tense and claustrophobic, subverting expectations until the last minute.
Regardless of its popularity with the general audience, Kaun? is regarded as one of Varma’s best works due to its unique story construction and tight direction. “…one of my favourite films of my own is Kaun. It is perhaps not ideal in terms of cinematic techniques that I would want to incorporate later in my work, but forging several of them, I got a film like Kaun that only people like me would find interesting,” said Varma in his interview with Netflix.
Conclusion
These five films not only mark the finest in Ram Gopal Varma’s multi-genre filmography, but also show how adept he is at shifting from one genre to the other and bending the rules of the genre while building a new identity in Indian cinema. From the dark side of Mumbai to the glitzy depths of Bollywood and the psychological heights of thrillers and suspense, RGV’s films stand out, making them a must-watch for any true film lover.
Writer : Pranjal Bapna