RGV: Amitabh is not playing Gabbar

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma was in Hyderabad for the curtain raiser of the Telugu version of his film, Ram Gopal Varma Kii Aag. And though the verdict is still out on his tribute to Sholay, which releases next week, the filmmaker didn't look worried at all about the film's box office prospects.

CNN-IBN: This movie is like an acid test for you. What if it bombs at the box office?

Ram Gopal Varma: Well, it will explode! That’s exactly what happens when a movie bombs.

CNN-IBN: What have the initial reactions been like to the promos and the first look of the film?

Ram Gopal Varma: It’s been good, bad and ugly.

CNN-IBN: Apart from Amitabh Bachchan if you could cast somebody from Sholay who would it be and why?

Ram Gopal Varma: I don’t think I would have made the film if Mr Bachchan was not there because Gabbar is a legendary character and to play him we needed a legendary actor and that’s what Mr Bachchan is.

Having said that the point is that he is not playing Gabbar. The intention is to create a character, which would have a similar effect though not necessarily better. Like if there is a Superman, then there is a Spiderman and a Batman also. So, all three are intended for the same effect but obviously they are very different as characters.

CNN-IBN: Why a simultaneous Telugu film release considering that there is no Telugu actor? How do you think it will fare?

Ram Gopal Varma: Well, it’s going to be a dubbed film. Any film which you think has a subject value and a certain universal appeal to it then it is general practice across the world that you dub it in whichever language you may perceive that it can make a connect.