Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has opened up about his contribution to Sridevi’s upcoming biography, ‘The Empress’, while recalling his experience of directing the legendary actress in ‘Kshanam Kshanam’. In a recent conversation with Variety India, Varma revealed that he has contributed a chapter to the book and was told that his contribution is among its best. The filmmaker also reflected on Sridevi’s extraordinary screen presence, describing her craft as something he still finds difficult to comprehend years after her death.
Ram Gopal Varma on Sridevi biography ‘The Empress’
Sridevi’s biography ‘The Empress’, written by Dhiraj U. Kumarr, was announced by Priyanka Chopra on the late actress’s birth anniversary on August 13. Varma confirmed that he has contributed a chapter to the book, although he admitted that he was not particularly familiar with its title.“I have contributed one chapter to the book,” Varma said. On learning that the biography is titled The Empress, he added, “I didn’t know it was called ‘Empress.’ Is it ‘Empress’? Okay, I guess she was that. Although I’d have preferred Screen Queen, she was that, the others all came after her.”Varma also reacted to the response he has received about his contribution to the biography. He said he has been told that his chapter is the best in the book, though he remains sceptical about whether every contributor has been given the same compliment.“I am told my chapter is the best. But then they must be saying the same to everyone who has contributed to it,” he said.
Ram Gopal Varma recalls directing Sridevi in ‘Kshanam Kshanam’
Varma directed Sridevi only once, but he considers that experience enough to understand the extraordinary range she brought to a performance.“I got to direct her only once. It was more than enough proof what she could do. For every scene she had 15-20 interpretations and expressions. Working with her was like staying at a 7-star hotel. You were spoilt for life,” he recalled.The filmmaker also spoke about his continuing fascination with Sridevi’s performances. Even years after her death, he said he remains unable to fully understand the craft behind some of her most memorable screen moments.“So many years have passed since she died. Even now, I am unable to understand what she did on screen. For example, that Charlie Chaplin sequence in Mr India….It is impossible to understand the craft behind something like that. She is phenomenal beyond any actor I’ve directed.”
RGV remembers his first meeting with Sridevi
Varma also recalled meeting Sridevi for the first time at her residence in Chennai. He had gone there with the intention of signing the actress for a project.“I had gone to meet her at her residence in Chennai to sign her. I was sitting in the living room with her mother, while Sridevi just flitted in and out of the room as she was packing to catch a flight.”The filmmaker said her presence made an immediate impression on him.“Every time she came into the room, it was like a sudden rush of fresh invigorating breeze,” he recalled.Reflecting on her death, Varma added, “I want her to come back to earth again. Just once. So that humanity would know she really existed.”
RGV says he does not dwell on Sridevi’s death
Varma was also asked whether he thought about Sridevi on her birth anniversary or revisited her films. The filmmaker gave an unusually candid response, saying that he does not dwell on people after they have died.“No! I don’t think of dead people at all. Once they are gone, they are out of my life. I would rather focus on my own life than think of the dead,” he said.
What is Sridevi biography ‘The Empress’ about?
‘The Empress’ is an upcoming biography dedicated to Sridevi and was announced on the actress’s birth anniversary. The book brings together contributions and recollections from people associated with different phases of her life and career. Varma’s chapter offers a perspective from a filmmaker who worked directly with Sridevi and witnessed her acting process from behind the camera. His recollections of Kshanam Kshanam and his assessment of her craft add another dimension to the biography’s portrait of the late actress.
Ram Gopal Varma focuses on ‘Police Company’
While discussing Sridevi and the biography, Varma also made it clear that his attention is currently on his next directorial project, ‘Police Company’. The filmmaker said he is fully occupied with shooting the action-crime drama, which stars Harshvardhan Rane in the lead. The project is being described by Varma as a story connected to the Mumbai underworld and the rise of different gangs during a period of intense criminal activity.Varma has previously described ‘Police Company’ with the tagline ‘It Is More Dangerous Than D Company’, suggesting a story about what could happen when a powerful institution begins functioning like a commercial organisation.