In a recent interview, maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) stirred the Bollywood pot by asserting that the success of the film “Animal” has left South Indian filmmakers ‘shell-shocked.’ He contends that the triumph of the Sandeep Reddy Vanga-directed film has shattered preconceived notions, challenging the conventional template of Hindi cinema.
RGV debunked the classification of “Animal” as a South Indian film, emphasizing that even if director Sandeep Reddy Vanga hailed from a northern state, he would have found a way to create the groundbreaking movie. Addressing the success of South Indian films in the Hindi cinema landscape, RGV explained that directors from the southern film industry have always embraced a specific style of filmmaking, which includes hero-centric narratives catering to front-bench audiences.
Reflecting on the changing tide in Bollywood, RGV referred to the period a couple of years ago when films from Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam languages outperformed their Hindi counterparts. He identified the emergence of Baahubali and the subsequent success of KGF as pivotal moments, solidifying the trend of South Indian films making a mark in the Hindi film industry.
In analyzing the shift in preference towards South Indian filmmaking, RGV delved into the mindset of filmmakers, asserting that directors in the South are often perceived as ‘uneducated.’ However, he turned this perceived lack of formal education into a strength, noting that their rootedness enables them to better understand the pulse of the masses. RGV drew a contrast between South Indian directors and their counterparts in Bombay, highlighting that many filmmakers in Bombay lack conviction in crafting films that cater to the masses, adhering to a hero-masala template.
RGV suggested that the lack of exposure to English films among South Indian directors contributes to their ability to connect with the masses. He argued that this contrasted with filmmakers from Bombay, who often have an American education and might not be as attuned to the sentiments of the common man.
Controversially, RGV rejected the classification of Sandeep Reddy Vanga as a ‘South director,’ asserting that the shockwaves from the success of “Animal” are more pronounced in the South than in Bollywood itself. The film, starring Ranbir Kapoor, Bobby Deol, Anil Kapoor, and Rashmika Mandanna, has achieved remarkable success, grossing nearly Rs 750 crore worldwide in just 11 days of release, securing its position as the third-biggest Indian film of the year. As RGV continues to challenge industry norms, the impact of “Animal” on Bollywood’s filmmaking landscape remains a topic of fervent discussion.
