Ram Gopal Varma Exclusive Interview: ‘Without slow motion, I don’t know if Rajinikanth can exist’

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In a revealing chat with TopMob, renowned director Ram Gopal Varma recently clarified the distinction he sees between a ‘star’ and an ‘actor’. According to him, acting involves bringing a character to life, whereas being a star entails presenting a show or performance.

In the discussion, the filmmaker expressed his thoughts primarily about the superstar Rajinikanth, even inquiring if it was possible for him to appear without using slow-motion scenes.

questioning if Rajinikanth truly excels as an ‘excellent actor’, Ram Gopal Varma expressed doubts about his capability to portray a character like Bhikhu Mhatre. Yet, he acknowledged that viewers often enjoy watching him perform in his distinctive style.

As a connoisseur of lifestyle and the arts, let me clarify a point often misunderstood: acting is centered around character development, while stardom revolves around performance. There’s a significant gap between the two. When it comes to Rajinikanth, I can’t definitively say he’s an actor in the traditional sense. What I can say, though, is that he’s a star like no other. If you’re looking for someone to embody Bhikhu Mhatre, perhaps Rajinikanth isn’t the best fit. Yet, there’s something about him that captivates us – a unique charm that transcends the need for slow motion or intricate character portrayals. Without his signature style, I wonder if we would even recognize Rajinikanth in another role.

In his words, “During Charlie Chaplin’s era, the 24-frames-per-second camera was already in use. If this had been the case earlier, Chaplin, who only worked with 18 frames, might not have achieved stardom.

Additionally, the host disclosed a recent chat with an actor from India. He revealed that this individual expressed concern over how overwhelmingly powerful his public persona has grown, even though he yearns for opportunities to try out fresh acting roles.

Ram Gopal Varma stated that films have multiple reasons for their success, not just one. For instance, audiences don’t seem to mind watching Rajinikanth walk slowly for half the film without much action, as they derive pleasure from it. This enjoyment isn’t necessarily based on a character’s depth. If a star portrays an ordinary character, it might feel underwhelming.

In a movie I recall watching, Amitabh Bachchan portrayed a character with stomach pain, which was before the film Piku. That particular scene didn’t sit well with me as I didn’t enjoy seeing him in such a vulnerable condition. The director of Satya stated that audiences often view stars as demigods, and it’s hard for these divine figures to be portrayed as ordinary characters.

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2025-02-12 10:52