Ram Gopal Varma Reflects on Success and Arrogance After 'Satya': An Emotional Confession
1 month ago | 5 Views
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma's film Satya was re-released in theatres on January 17. After 27 years, the director revisited his work and expressed his emotions in a heartfelt note, reflecting on how he became "intoxicated by success," which subsequently influenced his creative endeavours in the years that ensued.
Ram Gopal Varma cried after watching Satya again
On Monday, Ram Gopal Varma expressed his emotions on X (formerly Twitter) by sharing a poignant 'Satya confession.' He disclosed that revisiting the film after almost thirty years brought him to tears. He stated, “As I approached the conclusion of Satya while watching it two days ago for the first time in 27 years, I found myself overwhelmed with tears streaming down my face, and I was indifferent to whether anyone noticed. The tears were not solely for the film, but also for everything that has transpired since then.”
The filmmaker compared the experience of creating a film to the act of childbirth, recognizing that artists frequently overlook the importance of their work while it is being developed. In contemplating his own experiences, he acknowledged that he was often so focused on future endeavours that he seldom took the time to appreciate or contemplate the beauty of his creations. "I overlooked the numerous inspirations ignited by Satya, dismissing them as merely another phase in my journey toward a destination devoid of objectives," he admitted.
Ram Gopal Varma became drunk on Satya's success
Varma reflected on his feelings of guilt for "betraying" those who placed their trust in him following the success of Satya. He expressed, “Upon returning to the hotel after the screening of Satya, I found myself in darkness, grappling with the realization that, despite my supposed intelligence, I failed to use this film as a standard for my future endeavours. I recognized that my tears were not solely for the film's tragedy; they also stemmed from joy for the version of myself that existed then. Additionally, I wept out of guilt for the betrayals of those who believed in me because of Satya. I became intoxicated, not by alcohol, but by my own success and arrogance, a truth I only acknowledged two days ago.”
The filmmaker examined how the triumph of Satya, along with other successful films like Rangeela, fostered a sense of arrogance and a diminished vision. He confessed to creating films primarily for shock value, gimmicks, or technical prowess—elements he deemed ultimately insignificant. He further acknowledged that none of his subsequent projects possessed the honesty and integrity that characterized Satya, which he regarded as a standard for genuine storytelling.
Ram Gopal Varma encouraged his fellow filmmakers to resist self-indulgence and to evaluate their work against the benchmarks established by their finest creations. “I deeply wish I could rewind time and establish a fundamental rule for myself: before embarking on any film project, I should revisit Satya. Had I adhered to that principle, I am confident that I would not have produced 90% of the films I have made since then,” he stated.
He concluded with a commitment: “With whatever remains of my life, I aspire to dedicate myself sincerely to creating something as significant as Satya. This is a truth I pledge on Satya.”
About Satya
Satya, a gangster drama that redefined Indian cinema, stars JD Chakravarthy, Manoj Bajpayee, Urmila Matondkar, Shefali Shah, and Saurabh Shukla. As part of the re-release trend, the iconic film returned to theatres on January 17, 27 years after its original release.
Get the latest Bollywood entertainment news, trending celebrity news, latest celebrity news, new movie reviews, latest entertainment news, latest Bollywood news, and Bollywood celebrity fashion & style updates!
