Fenil and Bollywood

Ram Gopal Varma

Often one to court trouble, Ram Gopal Varma found himself dealing with much more than what he had bargained for, on Friday and Saturday when he landed in Ananthapur, Hyderabad. He is there to research the life of the controversial politician and alleged criminal Paritala Ravindra who is wanted in over 50 murder cases, as his next film Rakta Charitra is based of Paritala’s life. Little did Ramu suspect to be caught in the middle of violent protests in Paritala’s constituency, where his wife, Sunitha now lives.

Our source reveals, “The minute Sunitha saw Ramu, she made it very clear to him that she won’t allow anyone to make a film on her husband. She claimed that she won’t let anyone portray her husband as a criminal, whereas in reality he’s revered and worshipped in his constituency. But Ramu being Ramu just nodded, pretending to get her point, while actually, he couldn’t really follow her fluent Telugu. He left her with a smile and then continued meeting Paritala’s friends and other family members. And soon, word spread that Ramu would be going ahead with the film despite being asked not to.

Paritala Ravindra

Hundreds of people gathered outside the place where he was staying and threatened to stop him from leaving Ananthapur.”

Ramu, still stranded in Ananthapur admits that he was seriously threatened, but is in no mood to submit in to the demands of shelving the film. He says, “When have I ever been stopped by threats? And yes, what you have heard is true. I have been meeting all the people closely associated to Paritala. And let me tell you, some of them are wanted by the police for as many as 100 to 200 murder cases. They’re amazingly dangerous people. And if they think that I am trying to make mischief here about Paritala, they will bump me off without a second thought. One of Paritala’s close associates told me that he’s a nice man, only, he can’t stop the murdering when he is drunk. I wonder why he can’t stop drinking. The people who kill others live by a peculiar logic. The picture I have formed is incredible and I’m only more determined to make this film than before,” Ramu says.

Ramu also met Paritala’s arch enemy, Suri. “Suri’s in jail. I met him there. I’m shocked by how much he still hates Paritala,” Ramu admits. “I am trying to convince the people here in Ananthapur that I am only looking to portray Paritala like he really was, and not a villain. But they aren’t convinced. I’m now being threatened and my mother is worrying. But what can I do? I do have heavy security with me. But if I have a job to do, I have to do it, right?

In fact, far from fleeing Ananthapur as soon as his research is done, Ramu is planning to shoot the film there, right on location. He intends to return to Ananthapur next month with actor Vivek Oberoi who plays Paritala in the film.