Ram Gopal Varma: Difference between revisions

| caption            = Varma in September 2012

| birth_place        = [[Vijayawada]], [[Andhra Pradesh]], India

| occupation        = {{hlist|[[Film director]]|[[Film producer]]}}

| birthname          = Penmetsa Ram Gopal Varma<ref>{{cite web|access-date=2020-07-25|date=2020-07-18|language=en|title=My Wife's Murder: This RGV film failed to excite his fans in 2005|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/bollywood/my-wifes-murder-this-rgv-film-failed-to-excite-his-fans-in-2005-634346|website=Thehansindia.com}}</ref>

'''Penmetsa Ram Gopal Varma''' (born 7 April 1962), often referred to by his initials '''RGV''', is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer, known for his works in [[Telugu cinema]] in addition to [[Bollywood|Hindi]], [[Kannada cinema|Kannada]] language films, and television.<ref name="iffi.nic.in">*{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1998Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1998.pdf|title=Directorate of Film Festival|website=Iffi.nic.in}}*{{cite web|url=http://www.americancinematheque.com/archive1999/2006/Ram_Gopal_Varma%20.htm|title=IndianGoodfellas|work=americancinematheque.com|access-date=22 August 2015|archive-date=2 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702070149/http://americancinematheque.com/archive1999/2006/Ram_Gopal_Varma%20.htm|url-status=dead}}

*{{cite web | url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/tv/news/hindi/rgvs-new-web-series-guns-and-thighs-talk-about-the-time-of-mafia-in-mumbai/articleshow/58870549.cms | title=RGV's new web-series 'Guns and Thighs' talk about the time of Mafia in Mumbai – Times of India | website=[[The Times of India]] }}</ref> Varma has directed films across multiple genres, including [[parallel cinema]] and [[docudrama]] noted for their gritty [[realism (arts)|realism]], technical finesse, and craft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/tamil/Veerappan-Going-to-Hollywood/2016/01/13/article3224773.ece|title=Veerappan Going to Hollywood|work=The New Indian Express}}

*{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/I-don-t-think-cinema-in-Rs-100-crore-terms-RGV/Article1-933638.aspx |title=I don't think cinema in Rs 100 crore terms: RGV |work=Hindustan Times |access-date=22 September 2012 |archive-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923153759/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/I-don-t-think-cinema-in-Rs-100-crore-terms-RGV/Article1-933638.aspx |url-status=dead }}

*{{cite news |author=Aparna Phadke |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-02/news-interviews/31537594_1_rgv-muse-nathalia-kaur |title=Me, RGV's muse? Out of question: Nathalia Kaur |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |date=2 May 2012 |access-date=22 September 2012 |archive-date=19 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019051803/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-05-02/news-interviews/31537594_1_rgv-muse-nathalia-kaur |url-status=dead }}

*{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fefB3eMm24 |title=LOVE2HateU – 15th January 2012 – RGV and Ritesh Deshmukh |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=22 September 2012 }}</ref> Regarded as one of the pioneers of new age [[Indian cinema]],<ref> * {{Cite web|url=https://www.tribuneindia.com/2004/20040606/spectrum/main1.htm|title=Bollywood's new badshah|website=Tribuneindia.com|access-date=21 July 2022}}

*{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyo.in/arts/ram-gopal-varma-killing-veerappan-satya-company-bollywood-underworld/story/1/4889.html|title=How Ram Gopal Varma gave Bollywood its best gangsters|work=dailyo.in}}

*{{cite news|url=http://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2014/07/30/ram-gopal-varma-revolutionizing-indian-film-industry-flow-cam-technology-now-auctioning-distribution-rights/|title=Ram Gopal Varma revolutionizing Indian film industry: flow-cam technology, now auctioning distribution rights|work=The American Bazaar|date=30 July 2014 }}</ref>

he was featured in the [[BBC World News|BBC World]] series ''Bollywood Bosses'' in 2004.<ref name=autogenerated1>*{{cite news|title=A filmmaker is like a journalist |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/3932985.stm|publisher=BBC|access-date=12 September 2011|date=29 July 2004}}</ref><ref> {{Cite web |url=http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/gaayam_retro0909_printer.php |title=Archived copy |access-date=16 August 2015 |archive-date=3 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003002930/http://www.telugucinema.com/c/publish/movieretrospect/gaayam_retro0909_printer.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2006, Grady Hendrix of [[Film Comment]], published by the [[Film Society of Lincoln Center]] cited Varma as "Bombay's Most Successful Maverick" for his works on [[experimental film]]s.<ref name="Film Society of Lincoln Center">*{{cite web|title=Against the Grain: Grady Hendrix on Bombay's most successful maverick|publisher=[[Film Society of Lincoln Center]]|date=September–October 2006|url=http://www.filmcomment.com/article/against-the-grain-ram-gopal-varma/|access-date=22 February 2009}}

*{{cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2006/06/18/good-varma-from-india/|title=GOOD VARMA FROM INDIA|work=New York Post|date=18 June 2006 }}</ref><ref name="indiatvnews.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/bollywood/rgv-associates-wants-him-back--14042.html|title=RGV's associates want him back in action|work=India TV News|date=5 May 2014 }}</ref><ref name="dailyo.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.dailyo.in/arts/ram-gopal-varma-killing-veerappan-satya-company-bollywood-underworld/story/1/4889.html|title=How Ram Gopal Varma gave Bollywood its best gangsters|work=dailyo.in}}</ref><ref name="auto2">{{cite news|url=http://www.americanbazaaronline.com/2014/07/30/ram-gopal-varma-revolutionizing-indian-film-industry-flow-cam-technology-now-auctioning-distribution-rights/|title=Ram Gopal Varma revolutionizing Indian film industry: flow-cam technology, now auctioning distribution rights|work=The American Bazaar|date=30 July 2014 }}</ref>

Starting his career as a [[civil engineer]], he made an entry into Telugu cinema with the path-breaking [[crime thriller]], ''[[Siva (1989 Telugu film)|Siva]]'' (1989) featured at the [[13th International Film Festival of India|13th IFFI' 90]] ''Indian Panorama'' mainstream section, and has won Varma, the state [[Nandi Awards]] for [[Nandi Award for Best Director|Best direction]], [[Nandi Award for Best First Film of a Director|Best first film of a director]], and the [[Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu]].{{Sfn|Chinnarayana|2007|p=54}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=International Film Festival of India 1990 |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm13IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=13IIFA.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420093021/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm13IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=13IIFA.pdf |archive-date=20 April 2016 |access-date=17 April 2016 |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]}}</ref> Subsequently, the film was included in [[CNN-IBN]]'s list of 100 greatest [[Indian films]] of all time.<ref name="IBNLive">{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200.html|title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time-Movies News Photos-IBNLive|work=IBNLive|access-date=18 May 2013|archive-date=24 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424003536/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Varma's next directorial was ''[[Kshana Kshanam]]'' (1991), the neo-noir [[Heist film|heist film]] being featured at the [[Ann Arbor Film Festival]], won him another [[Nandi Awards|Nandi Award]] for Best Direction, and the [[Nandi Award for Best Screenplay Writer]].<ref name="ReferenceA">Encyclopedia of Indian Cinema- Kshana Kshanam, Pg(503)-Professor of critical Studies-Paul Willemen-2014</ref> The 1993 [[political drama]], ''[[Gaayam]]'' received six state Nandi Awards.  In 1999, he directed ''[[Prema Katha]]'' for which he received his third [[Nandi Award for Best Director]].<ref name="ReferenceA"/>

Varma is known for directing and presenting [[Pan-Indian film| pan-Indian works]] casting actors across the country, such as the [[Sarkar (film series)|Indian Political Trilogy]], and the [[Gangster (film series)|Indian Gangster Trilogy]]; film critic Rajeev Masand had labelled the latter series as one of the "most influential movies of Indian cinema.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/masands-verdict-contract-mangled-mess-of-satya-company/69135-8.html|title=Masand's Verdict: ''Contract'', mangled mess of ''Satya'', ''Company''|work=CNN-News18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?227527|title=Behind The Scenes - Rachel Dwyer - May 30, 2005|work=outlookindia.com}}</ref><ref name="The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum">{{cite web|url=http://www.tribuneindia.com/2007/20071216/spectrum/main11.htm|title=The Sunday Tribune - Spectrum|work=tribuneindia.com}}</ref> The first installment of the trilogy, [[Satya (1998 film)|''Satya'']], was also listed in [[CNN-IBN]]'s 100 greatest [[Indian films]] of all time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200.html|title=100 Years of Indian Cinema: The 100 greatest Indian films of all time|work=IBNLive|access-date=18 May 2013|archive-date=24 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130424003536/http://ibnlive.in.com/photogallery/13200.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Varma also received the [[National Film Award (India)|National Film Award]] for [[screenwriter|scripting]] the political crime drama, ''[[Shool]]'' (1999).<ref name="47thawardPDF">{{cite web|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/47th_nff_2000.pdf|title=47th National Film Awards|publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]]|access-date=13 March 2012}}</ref> His recent [[avant-garde]] works include hits such as the dramatised re-enactment of "Rayalaseema factionism" in ''[[Rakta Charitra]]'' (2010), the "[[2008 Mumbai attacks]]" in ''[[The Attacks of 26/11]]'' (2013), the "[[Operation Cocoon]]" in ''[[Killing Veerappan]]'' (2016),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/ram-gopal-vermas-veerappan-creating-ripples-in-south-india/1/562583.html|title=Ram Gopal Verma's Veerappan creating ripples in south India|website=Indiatoday.intoday.in}}</ref><ref name="Sakshi">{{cite web|title=మంచి ఐడియాతో తీస్తే... 'ఐస్‌క్రీమ్'లా ఆర్థిక లాభాలు!|date=17 July 2014 |url=http://www.sakshi.com/news/movies/ramgopal-varma-directed-by-ice-cream-film-financial-benefits-in-film-industry-149014|website=Sakshi.com|access-date=22 August 2014}}</ref> the "Vijayawada riots" in ''[[Vangaveeti (film)|Vangaveeti]]'' (2016),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/vangaveeti-ram-gopal-varma-s-latest-film-is-his-most-violent-work/story-h9cFJPH8lvTQfolZ9mZMjN.html|title=Vangaveeti: Ram Gopal Varma's latest film is his most violent work|date=23 December 2016|website=Hindustantimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/flow-cam-technology-for-the-first-time-in-asia-rgv-news-telugu-ogssBkicijbcj.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140618204751/http://www.sify.com/movies/flow-cam-technology-for-the-first-time-in-asia-rgv-news-telugu-ogssBkicijbcj.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=18 June 2014|title=Flow Cam technology for the first time in Asia: RGV|website=[[Sify]]}}</ref> [[N. T. Rama Rao|N. T. R.]] in ''[[Lakshmi's NTR]]'' (2019), and [[Konda Surekha|Konda politics]] in ''[[Konda (film)|Konda]]'' (2022).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/reviews/konda-movie-review-an-unintentionally-hilarious-film/article65556861.ece|title=Ram Gopal Varma's 'Konda review - The Hindu|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=23 June 2022 |last1=Dundoo |first1=Sangeetha Devi }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/konda-muralis-close-aide-prashanth-karthi-to-shine-as-naxal-leader-rk-in-rgvs-konda/articleshow/92343627.cms |title=Konda Murali's close aide Prashanth Karthi to shine as Naxal leader RK In RGV's 'Konda' &#124; Telugu Movie News  |website=Timesofindia.indiatimes.com |date= |access-date=2022-06-23}}</ref>

Varma was born into a Telugu speaking family, and did his schooling at [[St. Mary's High School, Secunderabad]]<ref>{{cite news |last1=varma |first1=ram gopal |title=Dedicated to my first, memorable crush |url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/140309/entertainment-bollywood/article/dedicated-my-first-memorable-crush |work=Deccan Chronicle |date=9 March 2014 |language=en}}</ref> and completed his BE degree in Civil engineering from [[Velegapudi Ramakrishna Siddhartha Engineering College|V.R. Siddhartha Engineering College]], [[Vijayawada]]. Even during this period, Varma remained a film buff, through his uncle. Varma would skip classes often and watch films instead. He would watch the same film repeatedly "just to watch certain scenes which interested him."<ref>{{cite web|last=Basu|first=Arundhati|title=Don of the big screen|url=http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050702/asp/weekend/story_4921623.asp |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051127004822/http://www.telegraphindia.com/1050702/asp/weekend/story_4921623.asp |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 November 2005 |publisher=[[The Telegraph (Calcutta)|The Telegraph]]|access-date=12 September 2011|date=2 July 2005}}</ref> According to him, that is how he learned film direction.

In an interview to ''[[Tehelka]]'', Varma talked about his relationship with his parents and the reasons behind his decision to become a filmmaker.

{{blockquote|From my parents' perspective, I looked like a useless bum. It was the truth. I had no objective. I was just fascinated by people, so I used to study their behaviour. I was most fascinated by the bullies in my classroom. They were like gangsters for me. They had the guts to push around people, do things I couldn't— perhaps did not even want to do myself. But I'd want a friend like that (laughs). I used to adulate them like heroes. That was my first touch with anti-socialism. Over a period of time, I developed a low-angle fascination for larger than life people. I was always a loner – not because I was unhappy, but because I live away from myself, not just others. I like to study myself – the way I am walking, talking, behaving. My constant obsession with studying myself and other people is perhaps the primary motivation for me to be a filmmaker.<ref>{{cite web|title=I need to change my approach to films|url=http://www.tehelka.com/story_main34.asp?filename=hub150907ramgopalverma.asp |work=[[Tehelka]] |access-date=12 September 2011|date=15 September 2007}}</ref>}}

| access-date = 18 August 2010

}}</ref> In 2010, Varma received critical acclaim at the [[Fribourg International Film Festival]], [[Switzerland]]; a retrospective of his filmography, highlighting ''Mumbai Noir'' was staged by film critic Edouard Waintrop, a delegate in the [[Directors' Fortnight]] of the [[Cannes Film Festival]].<ref name="India Today">{{cite news|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/edouard-waintrop-on-the-new-indian-cinema/1/189357.html |title=Edouard Waintrop on the New Indian Cinema : UP Front – India Today |work=India Today |date=18 May 2012 |access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref><ref name="David">{{cite web|author=David|title=The Films of Ram Gopal Varma – An Overview|publisher=Cinema Strikes Back|date=16 June 2006|url=http://www.cinemastrikesback.com/?p=1202|access-date=22 February 2009}}</ref> ''Satya'' and ''Company'', in particular, were cited by British director [[Danny Boyle]] as influences on his [[Academy Award]]-winning film ''[[Slumdog Millionaire]]'' (2008), for their "slick, often mesmerizing portrayals of the [[Indian mafia|Mumbai underworld]]", their display of "brutality and urban violence", and their gritty realism.<ref>{{cite web|author=Amitava Kumar|title=Slumdog Millionaire's Bollywood Ancestors|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]|date=23 December 2008|url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2008/12/slumdog-millionaires-bollywood-ancestors.html|access-date=4 January 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Lisa Tsering|title='Slumdog' Director Boyle Has 'Fingers Crossed' for Oscars|publisher=IndiaWest|date=29 January 2009|url=http://www.indiawest.com/readmore.aspx?id=860&sid=5|access-date=30 January 2009|archive-date=2 March 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090302235319/http://www.indiawest.com/readmore.aspx?id=860&sid=5|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=DGA nominees borrow from the masters: Directors cite specific influences for their films|author=Anthony Kaufman|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=29 January 2009|url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=awardcentral&jump=contenders&id=director&articleid=VR1117999259&cs=1|access-date=30 January 2009}}</ref>

In 2005, Varma directed the [[The Godfather|Godfatheresque]]-[[Sarkar (2005 film)|''Sarkar'']], another super-hit thriller inspired by the life of [[Bal Thackeray]] and [[North India]]n politics, which was screened to special mention at the [[New York Asian Film Festival]], along with its sequel ''[[Sarkar Raj]]'', which premiered at the [[2008 Cannes Film Festival]] and the [[9th IIFA Awards|9th IIFA World Premiere-Bangkok]], and was archived at the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|Academy of Motion Pictures library]].<ref name="David"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/report-bollywood-biggies-bet-big-on-cannes-1164120|title=Bollywood biggies bet big on Cannes|work=dna}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/shropshire/content/articles/2008/05/23/bollywood_news_sarkar_cannes_feature.shtml|title=BBC - Shropshire - Entertainment - Sarkar Raj unveiled at Cannes|website=Bbc.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sarkar Raj makes it to the Academy of Motion Pictures library |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2008/08/02/11750/index.html |website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|access-date=9 August 2011 |date=2 August 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.desiblitz.com/content/bangkok-for-2008-iifa-awards|title=Bangkok for 2008 IIFA Awards|work=DESIblitz|date=31 May 2008 }}</ref> In 2013, he directed a [[docudrama]], ''[[The Attacks of 26/11]]'', showcased to critical acclaim at the [[Berlin International Film Festival]], in the Panorama as well as the Competition section,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/the-attacks-of-2611-review/ |title=The Attacks of 26/11 Movie Review |date=March 2013 |website=Koimoi.com |access-date=6 March 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-attacks-of-2611-ram-gopal-varmas-film-gets-selected-for-berlin-film-festival/313098-8-66.html|title='The Attacks of 26/11' selected for Berlin film fest|work=IBNLive|access-date=1 March 2013|archive-date=2 January 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130102010628/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/the-attacks-of-2611-ram-gopal-varmas-film-gets-selected-for-berlin-film-festival/313098-8-66.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was premièred at [[Films Division of India]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2012/aug/310812-RGV-to-recreate-Taj-Hotel-for-his-26-11-film.htm |title=RGV to recreate Taj Hotel for his 26/11 film |website=Mid-day.com |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Advani-praises-RGV-s-The-Attacks-of-26-11-advocates-Parliament-screening/Article1-1018841.aspx |title=Advani praises RGV's The Attacks of 26/11, advocates Parliament screening |newspaper=[[Hindustan Times]] |date=2013-02-28 |access-date=2013-03-06 |archive-date=6 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130306133838/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/bollywood/Advani-praises-RGV-s-The-Attacks-of-26-11-advocates-Parliament-screening/Article1-1018841.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Critics-review-The-Attacks-of-26-11-find-it-watchable/Article1-1019373.aspx |title=Critics review The Attacks of 26/11, find it watchable |newspaper=Hindustan Times |date=1 March 2013 |access-date=6 March 2013 |archive-date=5 March 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130305074622/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Entertainment/Bollywood/Critics-review-The-Attacks-of-26-11-find-it-watchable/Article1-1019373.aspx |url-status=dead }}</ref> The film received highly positive reviews, with critics praising Varma's narrative of assistant commissioner N. R. Mahale, and the discrepancies associated with Mahale's interaction with [[Ajmal Kasab]] on anti terrorism.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/brilliant-cop-who-first-quizzed-kasab-on-26-11-film/20130304.htm|title=Brilliant: Cop who first quizzed Kasab on 26/11 film|date=4 March 2013|website=Rediff.com}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.sify.com/movies/recreating-26-11-massacre-felt-terrifying-rgv-movie-snippets-news-national-mjenkefhida.html |title=Recreating 26/11 massacre felt terrifying: RGV (Movie Snippets) |website=[[Sify]] |date=4 September 2012 |access-date=22 September 2012 |archive-date=11 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121011025548/http://www.sify.com/movies/recreating-26-11-massacre-felt-terrifying-rgv-movie-snippets-news-national-mjenkefhida.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-celeb-tweets-through-the-day/20111213.htm |title=Would you watch RGV's film on 26/11? |website=Rediff.com |date=13 December 2011 |access-date=22 September 2012}}</ref>

===Influences===

Varma's philosophy is influenced by Russian-American Novelist [[Ayn Rand]], Philosopher [[Friedrich Nietzsche]] and authors like [[James Hadley Chase]] and [[Frederick Forsyth]], as well as by ''[[Mad (magazine)|Mad]]'' magazine.<ref name="gunsandthighs.com">{{Cite web |url=http://www.gunsandthighs.com/#director |title=Guns and Thighs - an Original Series by RGV |access-date=28 May 2017 |archive-date=26 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200526090054/http://www.gunsandthighs.com/#director |url-status=dead }}</ref> Varma's first runaway hit in Hindi cinema was ''[[Shiva (1990 film)|Shiva]]'' (1990), the remake of his 1989 film ''[[Siva (1989 Telugu film)|Siva]]''.<ref name="ramu.bo">{{cite web|last=Verma|first=Sukanya|title=All you need to know about Company|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/2002/apr/11ramu.htm|publisher=[[Rediff]]|access-date=12 September 2011}}</ref> Varma introduced the [[steadicam]] to Indian cinema with ''Siva''.<ref>{{cite book|last=Chinnarayana|first=Pulagam|url=http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/PavanJandhyala/library/Siva?sort=3&page=1|title=శివ{{mdash}}సెల్యులాయిడ్ చరిత్రలో సహజావేశం|trans-title=Siva{{mdash}}A natural frustration in the history of celluloid|language=Telugu|date=August 2007|work=[[Telugu Naadi (magazine)|Telugu Naadi]]|location=[[United States]]|issn=1559-7008|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/6gdoZ84jI?url=http://s1056.photobucket.com/user/PavanJandhyala/library/Siva?sort=3&page=1|archive-date=9 April 2016|access-date=9 April 2016}}</ref> Later, he garnered attention in [[Bollywood]] with the [[romantic comedy]] film, ''[[Rangeela (1995 film)|Rangeela]]'' (1995) starring [[Aamir Khan]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Raghavan|first=Nikhil|title=A saga in the making?|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/article820926.ece|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=12 September 2011|date=9 October 2010}}</ref> The film won seven [[Filmfare Awards]].<ref name="ramu.bo" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Acting! Who me? Never, says Ram Gopal Varma|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/bollywood/acting-who-me-never-says-ram-gopal-varma-70611|publisher=[[NDTV]]|access-date=12 September 2011|agency=Indo-Asian News Service|date=5 December 2010}}</ref><ref name="The Winners – 1998"/> Rangeela was later remade in [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] as [[Win a Date with Tad Hamilton!]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.style.yahoo.com/pride-10-bollywood-movies-were-075429409/photo-win-a-date-with-tad-1468225657461.html|title=Take Pride in These 10 Bollywood Movies Which Were Copied By Hollywood|website=In.style.yahoo.com}}</ref>

He then directed ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'' (1998), which won six [[Filmfare Awards]], including the [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie|Critics Award for Best Film]], In 2005, ''Indiatimes Movies'' included ''Satya'' in its list of ''25 Must See Bollywood Movies''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837,curpg-3.cms|title=Entertainment|work=indiatimes.com|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610052749/http://movies.indiatimes.com/Special_Features/25_Must_See_Bollywood_Movies/articleshow/msid-1250837,curpg-3.cms|archivedate=10 June 2008|df=dmy-all}}</ref> Satya was showcased among the Indian panorama section, at the 1998 [[International Film Festival of India]],<ref name="iffi.nic.in"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/FrmIP1998Award.aspx?PdfName=IP1998.pdf |title=Directorate of Film Festival |website=Iffi.nic.in |access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref> Varma received the [[Bimal Roy]] memorial award for best direction for this film.<ref name="bimalroymemorial.org">{{cite web|url=http://bimalroymemorial.org/default/1999/05/1999-awards/|title=1999 Awards|work=Bimal Roy Memorial}}</ref><ref name="Reachouthyderabad.com">{{cite news|url=http://www.reachouthyderabad.com/newsmaker/nm150.htm |title=Ram Gopal verma:Sarkar: Yet another fantastic movie from the Stylish Director |website=Reachouthyderabad.com |access-date=27 September 2012}}</ref> In the same year, he co-produced ''[[Dil Se..]]'', directed by [[Mani Ratnam]], screened at the 1999 [[Berlin Film Festival]], and won the [[Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema|Netpac Award]], as well as two [[National Film Awards]] and six [[Filmfare Awards]].<ref name="The Winners – 1998">{{cite web |title=The Winners – 1998 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |url=http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/articleshow/368679.cms |access-date=12 September 2011 |archive-date=8 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.ph/20120708042017/http://filmfareawards.indiatimes.com/articleshow/articleshow/articleshow/368679.cms |url-status=dead }}</ref> ''Satya'', together with his 2002 film ''[[Company (2002 film)|Company]]'' (which he directed, won three [[IIFA Awards]], seven Filmfare Awards, and a [[Bollywood Movie Award]] for best direction, and was premiered at the 2004 [[Austin Film Festival]]) and the 2005 film ''[[D (film)|D]]'' (which he produced), were also featured in the [[Fribourg International Film Festival]], and the [[New York Asian Film Festival]].<ref name="India Today"/><ref name="David"/>

In 1991, Varma experimented with the [[supernatural thriller]], [[Raat (film)|Raat]], and the 1992 [[Neo-noir]], crime film [[Drohi (1992 film)|Drohi]], and gained positive reviews from critics.<ref name="Directorate of Film Festival">{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm13IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=13IIFA.pdf |title=Directorate of Film Festival |website=Iffi.nic.in |access-date=12 July 2012 |archive-date=25 December 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225004301/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm13IIFAAward.aspx?PdfName=13IIFA.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="ramu.bo"/> During the years between his trilogy, from ''[[Satya (1998 film)|Satya]]'' in 1998 to ''[[D (film)|D]]'' in 2005,<ref name=Charlie>{{cite web|title=D: Final film in Indian Gangster Trilogy a Must See|website=Cinemastrikesback.com|date=24 August 2005|url=http://www.cinemastrikesback.com/index.php?p=562|access-date=22 February 2009}}</ref> Varma implemented different film genres in his craft. In 1999, he directed ''[[Kaun (film)|Kaun]]'', a suspense [[thriller (genre)|thriller]] set entirely in one house and featuring only three actors, and ''[[Mast (film)|Mast]]'', a subversion of Hindi cinema's [[Masala film|masala]] genre.<ref name="Film Society of Lincoln Center"/> In 2000, he directed ''[[Jungle (2000 film)|Jungle]]'', set entirely in a [[jungle]], for which he was nominated for the [[Star Screen Award for Best Director]]. In 2003 he directed another supernatural thriller ''[[Bhoot (film)|Bhoot]]'' on the lines of his earlier hit [[Raat (film)|''Raat'']]. ''Bhoot'' became a major hit at the box office,<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B0DEFDA1630F933A05756C0A9659C8B63 | title=Movie Reviews | newspaper=The New York Times | date=24 June 2022 }}</ref> and Varma was nominated for the [[Filmfare Best Director Award]] for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulte.com/movienews/26206/Trailer-Talk-RGVs-Patta-Pagalu-is-Promising|title=RGV's Patta Pagalu - Trailer Talk - Gulte.com - Rajasekhar in RGV's Patta Pagalu - Swati Dixit's Patta Pagalu|website=Gulte.com}}</ref>

<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.boxofficeindia.co.in/much-delayed-shabri-gets-a-sequel/|title=Much-Delayed Shabri Gets A Sequel!|work=boxofficeindia.co.in}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/11/aug/20-rgv-shabri-is-far-superior-to-satya-081104.asp|title=RGV: SHABRI is far superior to SATYA|work=glamsham.com|date=7 August 2021 }}</ref> 2010 film on media, [[Rann (film)|''Rann'']] was screened at [[Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/review/14012/index.html |title= Rann |author= Taran Adarsh |date= 29 January 2010 |website= [[Bollywood Hungama]] |access-date=29 January 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/rann-film-review-29253|title=Rann -- Film Review|date=4 February 2010|work=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> A two-part bilingual [[Parallel cinema]] ''[[Rakta Charitra]]'' (2010), on the theme of [[Politics in South India|South Indian politics]], was based on the life of [[Paritala Ravindra]], and Maddela Cheruvu Suri; the film received praise from critics.<ref name="dnaindia.com">{{cite web|title=Review: Rakht Charitra is replete with violence, yet blows you away! |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review_review-rakht-charitra-is-replete-with-violence-yet-blows-you-away_1456579|website=Dnaindia.com|access-date=20 March 2012}}</ref>

Varma started his career in the [[Cinema of Andhra Pradesh|Telugu film industry]] as an assistant director on the sets of films such as ''[[Collector Gari Abbai]]'' and ''[[Rao Gari Illu]]''. His father Krishnam Raju Varma, was a sound recordist at the [[Annapurna Studios]]. Varma met [[Nagarjuna Akkineni]] at the studio and narrated a scene to the actor which impressed him.<ref>{{cite web|title=My best film is Bhoot: Ram Gopal Varma|url=http://www.bollywoodsargam.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=9208|website=Bollywoodsargam.com|access-date=12 September 2011|date=31 July 2004}}</ref> The result of their collaboration was a film on the criminalisation of student politics – ''[[Siva (1989 Telugu film)|Siva]]''. It was a commercially successful film that gave Varma an opportunity to demonstrate his technical expertise and story telling skills.<ref name="ramu.bo"/>

''[[Kshana Kshanam]]'' with [[Daggubati Venkatesh|Venkatesh]], ''[[Gaayam]]'' with [[Jagapathi Babu]] and ''[[Anaganaga Oka Roju]]'' with [[J.D. Chakravarthy]] were successful, ''[[Govinda Govinda (1994 film)|Govinda Govinda]]'' with [[Akkineni Nagarjuna|Nagarjuna]] proved to be a moderate success at the box office.<ref>{{cite web|title=Different Strokes|url=http://www.screenindia.com/old/print.php?content_id=4023&secnam=films|publisher=[[Screen India]]|access-date=12 September 2011|date=30 May 2003}}</ref> During this period, Varma produced films such as ''[[Money (1993 film)|Money]]'' and ''[[Money Money (1995 film)|Money Money]]''. Other films by Varma in [[Telugu Language|Telugu]] include ''[[Gulabi (1995 film)|Gulabi]]'' (1995); ''[[Madhyanam Hathya]]'' (2004); ''[[Rakta Charitra]]'' (2010), ''[[Dongala Mutha]] ''(2011), ''[[Rowdy (2014 film)|Rowdy]]''(2014), ''[[Ice Cream (2014 film)|Ice Cream]]''(2014).<ref name="Sakshi" /><ref name="ibtimes.co.in">{{cite web|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.in/articles/546687/20140404/rowdy-review-mohan-babu-vishnu-manchu-rgv.htm|title='Rowdy' Review Roundup: Watch it for Mohan Babu|date=4 April 2014|work=International Business Times, India Edition}}</ref> Varma introduced online auction based film distribution model for this venture, and tasted success.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/rgv-disrupts-film-distribution-model-introduces-online-auction/article6398083.ece|title=RGV disrupts film distribution model; introduces online auction|work=The Hindu Business Line}}</ref>

Varma's notable mainstream works in Hindi cinema include ''[[Daud (film)|Daud]]'' (1997), ''[[Darna Zaroori Hai]]'' (2006), ''[[Nishabd]]'' (2007), ''[[Darling (2007 Indian film)|Darling]]'' (2007), and ''[[Phoonk]]'' (2008). Bollywood film makers such as [[Anurag Kashyap]], [[Madhur Bhandarkar]], [[Puri Jagannadh]], [[E. Nivas]], [[Prawaal Raman]], [[Krishna Vamsi]], [[Vishram Sawant]], and [[Hansal Mehta]] assisted Varma, before venturing into direction.<ref name="indiatvnews.com"/> In 1993, he scripted the [[Tamil film|Tamil]] thriller ''[[Thiruda Thiruda]]'', screened at [[Toronto International Film Festival]].<ref name=autogenerated2>{{cite web|url=http://movies.rediff.com/report/2010/jun/18/raja-sen-reviews-raavan.htm|title=Raavan is unforgivably boring|work=Rediff|date=18 June 2010|access-date=29 May 2012|author=Sen, Raja}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated3>{{Cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0108329/fullcredits|title=Thiruda Thiruda (1993)|access-date=21 July 2022|website=IMDb.com}}</ref><ref name="asiaone">{{cite web|url=http://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Asia/Story/A1Story20100625-223964.html|title=Jewel of Indian cinema|publisher=Singapore Press Holdings|work=[[AsiaOne]]|date=25 June 2010|access-date=19 May 2012|author=Nayar, Parvathi}}</ref> In 2015, Varma was fined for Rs 10 Lakhs, for an alleged copyright violation with the film [[Aag (2007 film)|''Aag'']] (2007).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/bollywood/hc-imposes-rs-10-lakh-fine-on-ram-gopal-varma-for-remaking-sholay/|title=HC imposes Rs 10 lakh fine on Ram Gopal Varma for remaking 'Sholay'|date=1 September 2015|newspaper=[[The Indian Express]]}}</ref> He made his directorial debut in [[Kannada cinema]] with the thriller ''[[Killing Veerappan]]''.<ref name="thehindu">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/killing-veerappan-to-be-launched-on-rajkumars-birthday/article7133733.ece|title='Killing Veerappan' to be launched on Rajkumar's birthday |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=23 April 2015|access-date=2015-06-24|last1=Khajane |first1=Muralidhara }}</ref>

==Other work==

Ram Gopal Varma made his début in Television through a Talk Show titled Ramuism. The show is being aired on a Telugu channel since September 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gulte.com/movienews/30201/RGVs-Big-Bomb-Blast|title=RGV's Big Bomb Blast|website=Gulte.com|date=3 September 2014 }}</ref> The show is noted for its fresh and witty appeal. The show focuses on Varma's [[Perspective (cognitive)|Point of View]] on social issues such as Education, Religion, Mythology, Children, Crime, Death, Anger, Godmen, Woman, Philosophy, Cinema etc. The show is hosted by [[Swapna (journalist)|Swapna]], the managing editor of [[Sakshi TV]].

He has also made a documentary called ''[[God, Sex and Truth]]'' with adult actress [[Mia Malkova]].<ref>{{cite web|title=RGV appears before Hyderabad police in obscenity case over his film 'GST'|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/rgv-appears-hyderabad-police-obscenity-case-over-his-film-gst-76626|website=Thenewsminute.com|access-date=12 September 2011|date=31 July 2004}}</ref>

Varma wrote an autobiography titled ''Na Ishtam'', which discusses his life experiences and philosophy. 'Naa Ishtam' was released in December 2010 at Taj Banjara, Hyderabad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/news/2010/ram-gopal-varma-naa-ishtam-031210.html|title=Ram Gopal Varma's autobiography Naa Ishtam released|website=Filmibeat.com|date=3 December 2010 }}</ref> ''[[Sirasri]]'', poet, lyricist and writer wrote a biographical book on the interactions he had with Ram Gopal Varma with the title ''Vodka With Varma''. Director [[Puri Jagannadh]] launched the book in December 2012.<ref>[http://norter.ru/pd/rgv-book-naa-istam.pdf] {{dead link|date=July 2022}}</ref>

Varma was married to Ratna, who are later divorced.<ref>{{cite web|date=15 January 2017|title=Ram Gopal Varma's ex-wife to tell all|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/ram-gopal-varmas-ex-wife-to-tell-all/articleshow/16724321.cms|website=The Times of India}}</ref> They have a daughter.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kavirayani|first=Suresh|date=2015-05-07|title=Daughter's married life is boring: Ram Gopal Varma|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/150507/entertainment-tollywood/article/daughter%E2%80%99s-married-life-boring-ram-gopal-varma|website=Deccan Chronicle}}</ref>

|<ref>{{cite web| title = Best Story Official listings| publisher = [[Indiatimes]], Filmfare Awards| url = http://recipeguide.indiatimes.com/awards2001/ex_dialogue.htm| access-date = 2014-04-29| archive-date = 29 April 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140429203450/http://recipeguide.indiatimes.com/awards2001/ex_dialogue.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref>

|<ref name="googlepages.com">{{Cite web|url=http://deep750.googlepages.com/FilmfareAwards.pdf|title=Filmfare Nominees and Winners|website=Deep750.googlepages.com|access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>

|<ref>{{cite web| title = Critics Award for Best Film| publisher = Filmfare Awards Official listing, [[Indiatimes]]| url = http://recipeguide.indiatimes.com/awards2001/ex_cfilm.htm| access-date = 2014-05-20| archive-date = 18 December 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20141218030957/http://recipeguide.indiatimes.com/awards2001/ex_cfilm.htm| url-status = dead}}</ref>

|<ref name="bimalroymemorial.org"/><ref name="Reachouthyderabad.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://bimalroymemorial.org/pdf/12th_January_1999-BT.pdf |title=Two Stars, Two Styles|website=Bimalroymemorial.org|access-date=21 July 2022}}</ref>

|<ref name="auto"/><ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000415/2005|title=Zee Cine Awards|website=IMDb.com}}</ref>

| 1993 || ''[[Govinda Govinda (1994 film)|Govinda Govinda]]'' || Telugu || {{Yes}} || || {{Yes}} ||thriller film

| 1996 || ''[[Deyyam (1996 film)|Deyyam]]'' ||Telugu || {{Yes}} || || {{Yes}} ||horror film

| 1996 || ''[[Gulabi (1995 film)|Gulabi]]'' || Telugu || || {{Yes}} || ||thriller film

| 2002 || ''[[Road (2002 film)|Road]]'' || Hindi || || {{Yes}} || ||road movie

| 2004 || ''[[Ek Hasina Thi (film)|Ek Hasina Thi]]'' || Hindi || || {{Yes}} || ||thriller film

| 2010 || ''[[Rakta Charitra]]''|| Telugu, Hindi|| {{Yes}} || || {{yes}} ||Biographical film

| 2010 || ''[[Rakta Charitra 2]]''|| Telugu, Hindi|| {{Yes}} || || {{yes}} ||Biographical film

| 2011 || ''[[Katha Screenplay Darsakatvam Appalaraju]]'' || Telugu || {{Yes}} || || {{Yes}} ||comedy film

| 2018 || ''[[Bhairava Geetha]]'' || Kannada/Telugu || ||{{yes}} ||{{yes}}  ||

| 2021 ||''[[12 'O' Clock (film)|12 'O' Clock]]''|| Hindi || {{yes}} || {{yes}} || {{yes}} ||Horror film

|2020||''Beautiful'' || Telugu / Hindi || || {{Yes}} ||  || <ref>{{cite web|date=2019-12-19|title=RGV's Beautiful release date is finally here|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/rgvs-beautiful-release-date-is-finally-here/articleshow/72885707.cms|website=Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

| 2020 || ''Climax'' ||Telugu ||{{yes}} ||  ||  || Released on RGV World / ShreyasET<ref>{{cite web|title=Climax (2020) {{!}} Climax Movie {{!}} Climax Telugu Movie Cast & Crew, Release Date, Review, Photos, Videos|url=https://www.filmibeat.com/telugu/movies/rgv-climax.html|access-date=2020-07-24|website=FilmiBeat|language=en}}</ref>

| 2020 || ''Naked'' || Telugu || {{Yes}} ||  ||  || Released on RGV World / ShreyasET<ref>{{cite web|last=Manjula|date=2020-06-27|title=RGV's Naked Movie Box Office: Nagnam Breaks Digital Release Record|url=https://www.thehansindia.com/cinema/tollywood/rgvs-naked-movie-box-office-nagnam-breaks-digital-release-record-630484|access-date=2020-07-24|website=Thehansindia.com|language=en}}</ref>

| 2020 || ''Power Star'' || Telugu || {{Yes}} || || || Released on RGV World<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=25 July 2020|title=Ram Gopal Varma releases 'Power Star' amid controversy|url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/ram-gopal-varma-releases-power-star-amid-controversy-129394|access-date=|website=The News Minute}}</ref>

| 2020 || ''Thriller'' || Telugu  || {{Yes}} || || || Released on RGV World<ref>{{cite web|last=Pioneer|first=The|title=2 Odisha actors in lead roles in Bollywood movie|url=https://www.dailypioneer.com/2020/state-editions/2-odisha-actors-in-lead-roles-in-bollywood-movie.html|access-date=2020-08-08|website=The Pioneer|language=en}}</ref>

{{reflist}}

* [http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-01/mumbai/27942998_1_ram-gopal-verma-bollywood-filmmakers-terror Ram Gopal Varma At Taj by Chance] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811070627/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-12-01/mumbai/27942998_1_ram-gopal-verma-bollywood-filmmakers-terror |date=11 August 2011 }}