Ram Gopal Varma on Gabbar Singh, Sholay’s Sequel, and the Logic of Cinema

Ram Gopal Varma in conversation with Komal Nahta

“The audience loving Gabbar Singh was the story’s failure,” said director Ram Gopal Varma in a candid interview with film trade analyst Komal Nahta on his YouTube podcast Game Changers.

Though Varma hasn’t delivered a critically acclaimed film in over a decade, his cinematic sharpness remains undeniable. In this engaging conversation, he reflects on the failure of Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag (2007), the perils of loving villains, and the curious illogic of mainstream cinema.

Amjad Khan in Sholay 

Why Loving Gabbar Singh Was a Problem
Varma believes the iconic villain Gabbar Singh, played memorably by Amjad Khan in Sholay (1975), wasn’t meant to be loved. He states, “We are supposed to hate the villain, not admire him.” According to Varma, the audience’s fascination with Gabbar signals a narrative failure. When evil becomes celebratory in cinema, does the story lose moral grounding? Food for thought, though. 

The Wild Sholay Sequel That Never Happened                      Varma revealed a never-before-heard plotline pitched to him by Sasha Sippy, head of Sholay Media & Entertainment and nephew of Sholay director Ramesh Sippy. 

In this proposed sequel: Gabbar and Helen’s dancer character consummate their relationship post the Mehbooba song, leading to the birth of Junior Gabbar. Veeru and Basanti return to Ramgarh for Radha but are kidnapped by Junior Gabbar.Veeru and Basanti's children then journey to rescue them! 

How this story would believably unfold on screen, considering the timelines and assumed biological growth of various characters seems to be the least of the problems. 

Komal Nahta laughs uncontrollably, while Varma swears the pitch was genuine. This far-fetched narrative, says Varma, was one of the reasons he eventually helmed the much-criticized Aag.

What Went Wrong with Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag?           

Varma attributes the failure of Aag to two key decisions:

Creative Constraints from Sasha Sippy's Pitch: Sasha Sippy's Sholay sequel plot narration, certainly killed RGV's interest. Clearly it was plot that RGV didn't expect to unfold. Varma also surely, didn't have creative control to make his own Sholay version for Sholay Entertainment.   

The Gabbar Poster Mishap: The feedback on a graphic artist's impression of Amitabh Bachchan as Gabbar Singh (renamed Babban due to copyright issues), convinced Varma into a full remake path. The rest, as they do not say often, was disaster. 

Despite the backlash on Aag, Varma laughs at his failures in the interview.

Cinema is Not About Logic, Says Varma                        Interestingly, Varma argues that story logic often disrupts cinematic emotion. He recalls audience mumbling about a brief subplot in Bhoot (2003) that distracted from the horror. According to him, “Story is not the core of a film—emotional highs are.”

He supports this with a scene from Satya (1998): When police are tipped off about Satya’s presence in a theatre, they recklessly announce it, causing chaos. Logically, they should have quietly arrested him. 

Varma admits this was a lapse, but it served the film’s drama. Only background score composer Sandeep Chowta questioned this logic back then—yet the audience never did. 

The Curious Case of Veerappan (2016)

I ended up watching Veerapan after the interview. Varma’s Veerappan shows flashes of brilliance. The lead actor’s uncanny resemblance to the real-life smuggler stands out, though Lisa Ray’s vengeful character borders on theatrical. The score often overemphasizes tension. 

Some of the camera placements and angles are creatively superb. While not a full return to form, the film proves Varma still has cinematic instincts that could spark a comeback.

Is a Ram Gopal Varma Comeback Possible?

In the podcast, Varma hints at working on a “big film” but withholds details. He maintains that commercial success doesn’t influence his decisions, and spontaneity remains central to his filmmaking. While critics and fans may be skeptical, the hope for a true RGV resurgence lingers.

Despite his eccentric public persona, social media antics, and controversial statements, there’s still an audience eager to see Varma reclaim his storytelling prowess.

Final Thoughts: Still Rooting for Ram Gopal Varma

Ram Gopal Varma once reshaped Indian cinema with gritty realism and emotional intensity. Today, even as his films falter, the filmmaker's insights and self-awareness are compelling. Perhaps all it takes is one well-crafted, emotionally resonant story—logic be damned—for Varma to return to form.

Ram Gopal Varma's Satya (1998)

Sholay and the Western Genre: Exploring the Western influences in the film

Sholay is a classic Indian film released in 1975 that has become a cultural icon in India. The film, directed by Ramesh Sippy, was heavily influenced by the Western genre and transformed the Indian film industry by introducing a new style of storytelling and filmmaking.

Cowboys, gun battles, wild wild west: The Western genre has been a popular and enduring genre in cinema history, characterized by its depictions of the American West, cowboys, outlaws, and lawmen. Sholay incorporated several elements of the Western genre, including its setting in a small village in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, a story of revenge, and the portrayal of larger-than-life characters.

Nowhere do writers Salim-Javed copy any situation or scene for the Hollywood or the Sergio Leone classic westerns. The family execution scene has an echo from Leone's Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), that's it for any direct influences. The westerns impact is widely visible in the cinematography and minimal use of background score in key action sequences. 

The anti-hero: One of the most significant Western influences in Sholay was its use of the "anti-hero" archetype. In Western films, anti-heroes are often portrayed as flawed characters who possess qualities that make them less than heroic, such as greed or a lack of morality. Sholay's character of Gabbar Singh, played by Amjad Khan, was an anti-hero who was ruthless, violent, and lacked any redeeming qualities. Gabbar Singh was unlike any villain that Indian cinema had seen before, and his portrayal was groundbreaking in the context of Indian cinema.

Buddy system: Another Western influence in Sholay was its use of the "buddy film" trope. In Western films, the buddy film is a popular subgenre that typically features two protagonists who form an unlikely bond and work together to achieve a common goal. Sholay's protagonists, Veeru and Jai, played by Dharmendra and Amitabh Bachchan, respectively, were two very different characters who became friends and worked together to defeat the film's antagonist.

R.D. Burman: Sholay's use of music was also heavily influenced by Western cinema. Western films often use music to enhance the mood and atmosphere of a scene, and Sholay was no different. The film's iconic soundtrack, composed by R.D. Burman, was a fusion of Indian classical music and Western-inspired tunes. 

The use of music in Sholay was revolutionary and set a new standard for Indian cinema. My favourite is the opening credits score, that is at once western yet organically Indian. 

Sholay was a game-changer for the Indian film industry. It transformed the way Indian filmmakers approached storytelling and introduced a new level of technical excellence to Indian cinema. The film's success paved the way for a new era of Hindi cinema, and its influence can still be seen in Indian films today.

Sholay: A Cultural Phenomenon: The cultural impact of the film on Indian cinema and society

Sholay, a 1975 Indian action-adventure film, directed by Ramesh Sippy and produced by his father G. P. Sippy, is not only a cinematic masterpiece but a cultural phenomenon that has had an immense impact on Indian cinema and society. 

The film features a stellar ensemble cast, including Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan, and Amjad Khan, who brought to life some of the most iconic characters in Indian cinema history. Since its release, Sholay has been re-released several times, and its popularity continues to grow, making it one of the greatest Indian films ever made.

Sholay is not just a film, but a cultural phenomenon that has had an enormous impact on Indian cinema and society.

Released on 15 August 1975, Sholay was an instant box office success, becoming the highest-grossing Indian film of all time. The film's popularity continued to grow over the years, and it is still considered one of the greatest Indian films ever made. Sholay has been re-released several times, and it continues to draw audiences even today.

Memorable characters: One of the main reasons for Sholay's enduring popularity is its iconic characters. Each of the characters in the film is unique and memorable, from the heroic Jai and Veeru to the villainous Gabbar Singh. The film's dialogues have become part of the Indian lexicon, with lines like "Kitne aadmi the?" and "Yeh haath mujhe de de Thakur" being quoted and parodied in popular culture.

Grime and grittiness: Sholay also broke new ground in Indian cinema by introducing a more gritty, realistic style of filmmaking. The film's portrayal of violence and its depiction of the harsh realities of life in rural India was a departure from the escapist, romantic films that were popular at the time. Sholay's success paved the way for a new generation of filmmakers to explore more socially relevant themes in their films.

Breaking social taboos: Another reason for Sholay's cultural impact is the way it addressed issues of gender and class. The film's portrayal of the relationship between the upper-class Thakur and the lower-caste villagers was groundbreaking for its time. Similarly, the film's female characters were portrayed as strong and independent, challenging the traditional gender roles of Indian society.

Music, costumes: Sholay also had a significant impact on Indian fashion and style. The film's costumes, particularly Hema Malini's iconic white outfit, became hugely popular, and the film's music, composed by R. D. Burman, is still regarded as a classic.

Pop culture and Sholay: In addition to its impact on Indian cinema and society, Sholay has also influenced international pop culture. The film has been referenced and parodied in films and TV shows around the world, from Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill to The Simpsons.

Sholay, the enduring classic: In conclusion, Sholay is a cultural phenomenon that has had an enormous impact on Indian cinema and society. Its iconic characters, realistic style, and portrayal of gender and class issues have made it a timeless classic. Sholay's enduring popularity is a testament to its relevance and importance, almost five decades since its release.