Surya is the Best:Ram Gopal Verma

 In an exclusive to CT, maverick director Ram Gopal Varma speaks about his forthcoming Raktha Charithra-1 (RC) in Hindi (in which Suriya makes his Bollywood debut) and Raktha Sarithram.

• Elaborate on the two versions... Raktha Charithra is being made in two parts in Hindi. Raktha Charithra-1 will be released on October 22 and a few weeks later, the second part of the film will release. Raktha Sarithram (in Tamil) will have only one version and it will be a condensed version of the two parts in Hindi. We are trying to release it in Tamil Nadu for Deepavali.

• What is the film about? It is a realistic drama involving two principal characters and the subject is spread over a period of 15 years. I have been attracted to the subject matter which focusses on the dark side about the bitter rivalry between Paritala Ravi and Suri. It is based on true incidents and characters in Andhra. Let me tell you — it is the story of the most intense, blood-curdling conflict ever told between two individuals.

• What is Suriya’s role in the film? RC-1 is about the rise of the character played by Vivek Oberoi and Suriya comes only in the last 10 minutes of the film. RC-2 will show how the conflict starts between Vivek and Suriya, who is playing Suri’s character in the film. The Tamil version will have Suriya coming in the 35th minute and will dominate the film from then. It is a very violent film but at the same time it’s very emotional as violence is one of the human emotions. The film is trying to bring out the strong emotion (or hatred) that Suri has for Ravi.

• The buzz is that the film is too violent and will never get through the censors. Actually, violence is a part of human emotion and the decision to turn violent comes from within the mind. Its intensity varies from person to person. The background score itself captures the violent undercurrents and mood of the film. I feel my film is an emotional experience, and I don’t think there will be any censor problem.

• What made you opt for Suriya to do the role of Suri?
I have seen a few of his films and was impressed by his work. He plays the character of Suri in the film and has given his best for the role. You will get to see a totally new Suriya in the film. I thought he fit the role of Suri with his smouldering eyes and cool body language. I can see the violence and its purpose in the character he plays in the film. He excels in the action scenes choreographed by Javed Eijas. The audiences can feel the power of his punch in his eyes, which makes it frightening. Let me tell you — Suriya is awesome and is the best actor I have ever worked with till date.