Why another gangster film, was the question which many people asked me when I wanted to make CONTRACT.
First of all I don’t really understand what a gangster film means. Films are primarily made on character conflicts and the issues it deals with. The background just gives it a dimension. For example the story of COMPANY could have been set in a Corporate set-up with the outcome of conflicts just coming to individual beings fired from their jobs instead of being literally fired upon.
The underworld background just gives it a sharp edge to make it more hard-hitting. Having said that I must also confess that normal, civilized, nice family people bore me to death.
Now coming back to my reason for making another so-called underworld film is this that in 1997 (the year ‘Satya’ released) according to police statistics there were 108 shootouts related to the underworld and in 2006 there were just 5! It does not mean the underworld as we knew is almost finished. It has just meta-morphed into something much more dangerous, and in some instances it has become a conduit for terrorist networks.
The reason why the terrorists would require this kind of support is because mostly the terrorists would be from outside and primarily motivated by ideology. They would require ground support, safe houses, local intelligence, sea routes and land routes to get in arms and explosives and informants in the Police department. Since the underworld is a criminal business organization it can easily collude with the corrupt forces in the Police Department to which a terrorist cell might not have an access to. And these the underworld would provide, for either financial gain or in some cases sympathizing with the cause. The menace of this nexus has caused a complex problem for the various policing agencies of the country like the R.A.W, I.B, C.B, C.I.D, Crime Branch, Anti Terrorist Squad etc. for they can no longer afford to be secretive and are forced to share their information with each other which results in leakages for the simple reason that the more people know, the more are the chances of it being leaked out.
CONTRACT is a film against this backdrop.
RGV Blog 
Great thought RGV … You are a master crafter of underworld backdrop movies…but making them more close real life is challenge ahead…as you said UW might become mroe dangerous in coming as its jus taken a shadow only to come at public in future with much more power and desire to block down social power and rule its own way!!!
Anywys keep up ur work….All Thumps Up for your CONTRACT and waiting for your PHOONK(Seems to some crazy thriller)…
just seen what u said about phoonk in some interview. black magic….i\’m going to sue you for stealing my idea!!! hehe…i actually had a script ready for the same concept…i actually planned to make a short….i thought it would be really intersting to show how and why people believe in swamiji\’s and for that matter GOD. leave the ignorant villagers, i was truly shocked to hear that someone like our president abdul kalam visits puttaparthi satya sai baba to seek "BLESSINGS"…. how can a scientist believe in god!!! Does\’t he know that the tricks he displays like producing ash from thin air is a hand of sleight…. or he uses the reaction of glycerine and pottassium permanganate to produce fire from dry wooden sticks….i believe its the weakness of the people that these godmen cash on….
Looking forward to the film. However, the hype surrounding it seems unnecessary. Saw the promo, which starts off citing Satya in 1997 and Company in 2003. Agreed, they were good films, but is it not premature to compare the soon to be released films with past glory. I will be glad if contract REALLY lives up to them (though not comparing with them…as every film has its own identity).As far as i remember, Satya and Company were very modest, in their promos.wishing you luck anyways, for contract. will watch it.
this is not related to your blog
dear sir,
i am Aditya phatak.i write this letter to you for some good reason which could be useful for your production.
first let me tell you about myself.i am an Engg student currently studying in the 2nd academic year. reading this you may think
that i might be of no use to you.but i think i might be .i apologise if this letter doesnt seem to be formal enough.
sir, i had got a great idea which came to my mind ,which i then thought over and modified it to a story.when i thought ,if a movie could be made of this,the story seemed just perfect for a movie-like script.
sir, you may say there are enough story writers in the industry and your production may not even need one.i accept this.
but this story of mine is so good that i think it should be made into a movie.also i dont think of becoming a big story writer or something else ahead.
its just that i am a normal person who has a very good story to tell and therefore thought doing something about it.
sir, i request you to send me a reply even if your production is completely not interested into it.also if i have send this letter to a wrong
department of your production house,please do tell me about it.hope everything is positive.please reply soon.
thanking you,
Aditya phatak
aditya phatak
aditya4554@yahoo.co.in
Ramu,
I usually hate to write long ones, but today i just watched a Bheja fry movie ..so bear with me.
My second observations after the first one – about creating Connect between Nagres and Janata in Sarkar Raj..
"Gangster film…..guys make it sound like you are a gangster! Lets call it RGV film to keep it simple. I tend to agree with you, that in your view you look at characters, conflicts, behaviour and the situation around them forming the backdrop for another film…if i think a bit more, its really fascinating. I guess the reason people try stamping a brand on you is because you are trying to create the link yourself. When you say you want to make contract, why do you want to say "this is different from Satya, Company etc.,"
…Just leave it to people\’s imagination on what the film is all about!!! I am sure they wont come back and say, after watching the film, its not new. Let your films come with no presumptions, let there be no expectations of what genre the movie is going to be, let people get a "Shock Effect". Same is the case with even the horror movies that you produced, directed or whatever..many of your horror movies, were really good – Just that they got lost in your own crowd of films..They were definitely lot better than some of the so called bollywood block busters…
When you made Sarkar Raj, people obviously came up with same mind-set that it would be on the lines of Sarkar and I am sure it would have been a double challenge for you to "differentiate" the sequel with even more compelling subject and retain the respect People had imposed on Sarkar and the part 2 as well..now the point i am making is – unless you really intend to make a point, dont create the "Genre-Link" among your movies yourself…
For me Satya, D, Ab Tak Chappan, Company though they are all clubbed together as Gangster films, with no baggage behind them, each one of them were versatile (not necessarily great movies – exceptions Satya, Company) in their own way and would have met with varying degrees of success…"success" for sure (None guarantees success, in my assessment, for the kind of budgets on which you make/ produce movies response should work out! )..
Coming to CONTRACT – Concept is Outstanding. And we all know when you have a Concept which is good, what you are capable of making ! Request you to explore also the "Police-angle" also on the positive light..a) What strategies would they adopt to contend with the issue- knowing fully well, how dangerous the hand-shake between the underworld-terrorist could be! b) an instance to show they have succeeded (i am sure there would be several where they would have failed), c) who would the real hero be..
The least i want to hear from you would be "hearing from you", and the second least is that you say that you are not interested on showing who the real hero is 🙂 ..When you are in your elements, everyone who that would be ~!!!
Ramu,
I usually hate to write long ones, but today i just watched a Bheja fry movie ..so bear with me.
My second observations after the first one – about creating Connect between Nagres and Janata in Sarkar Raj..
"Gangster film…..guys make it sound like you are a gangster! Lets call it RGV film to keep it simple. I tend to agree with you, that in your view you look at characters, conflicts, behaviour and the situation around them forming the backdrop for another film…if i think a bit more, its really fascinating. I guess the reason people try stamping a brand on you is because you are trying to create the link yourself. When you say you want to make contract, why do you want to say "this is different from Satya, Company etc.,"
…Just leave it to people\’s imagination on what the film is all about!!! I am sure they wont come back and say, after watching the film, its not new. Let your films come with no presumptions, let there be no expectations of what genre the movie is going to be, let people get a "Shock Effect". Same is the case with even the horror movies that you produced, directed or whatever..many of your horror movies, were really good – Just that they got lost in your own crowd of films..They were definitely lot better than some of the so called bollywood block busters…
When you made Sarkar Raj, people obviously came up with same mind-set that it would be on the lines of Sarkar and I am sure it would have been a double challenge for you to "differentiate" the sequel with even more compelling subject and retain the respect People had imposed on Sarkar and the part 2 as well..now the point i am making is – unless you really intend to make a point, dont create the "Genre-Link" among your movies yourself…
For me Satya, D, Ab Tak Chappan, Company though they are all clubbed together as Gangster films, with no baggage behind them, each one of them were versatile (not necessarily great movies – exceptions Satya, Company) in their own way and would have met with varying degrees of success…"success" for sure (None guarantees success, in my assessment, for the kind of budgets on which you make/ produce movies response should work out! )..
Coming to CONTRACT – Concept is Outstanding. And we all know when you have a Concept which is good, what you are capable of making ! Request you to explore also the "Police-angle" also on the positive light..a) What strategies would they adopt to contend with the issue- knowing fully well, how dangerous the hand-shake between the underworld-terrorist could be! b) an instance to show they have succeeded (i am sure there would be several where they would have failed), c) who would the real hero be..
The least i want to hear from you would be "hearing from you", and the second least is that you say that you are not interested on showing who the real hero is 🙂 ..When you are in your elements, everyone who that would be ~!!!
Rgds, KG.
Read my last sentence as "..When you are in your elements, everyone "knows" who that would be ~!!!
I guess any film featuring gangsters as the main protagonists and deals, in part, with their lives could be called a gangster film but it doesn\’t convey much I guess.Company could be setup in a corporate world but it wouldn\’t be as engaging. As you mention, the underworld definitely gives it an edge. The parallels between the underworld and the corporate world make it very interesting.I wonder if Contract is a suitable title for the film based on your description. I guess I\’ll know when I see it.
Looking forward to seeing the movie ..
I loved the background in Satya, it somehow brought out many nuances of the film itself .. Company was reasonably good, I hope the background for this movie is good too …
As as aside, I enjoyed Darling too – sometimes I get the impression that you are just trying to have fun with yourself even when you try to infuse some intellectual elements ..
As as case in point – in Sarkar Raj – when Abhishek tells Amitabh – "Nazdeek ke nuksaan dekhne se pehle door ka fayada bhi sochna chahiye" – though it seems inappropriate – I felt you were sitting with a smirk when that was infused into the story – though I am not sure if you actually wrote that bit of dialogue ..
I "almost" envy the amount of fun you have had – not quite literally, yeh but somewhere around that 🙂
man…..its like He’s is back…..gosh..look at the camera work….movie
“Signs” has this kind of work..the way the camera sharpens and photo
like shots(the opening crow shot), the movement of camera (the car
shot), its like a child watching from his eyes(the barb wire shot)….the
words of RGV…pushing the technical stds and entering the arena he is
not into….using the steadicam (i guess) to the most….the striking chord
music…the screaching sound (from the name of contract till end)…
The man is back with the \’Terror Stuff\’Wow…wooooooow……..This is Ram Gopal Varma…..I was searching for this person…I thought Nagres killed him…thank god he is alive…..Satya is the first film which made me feel the terror of underworld.All the other films which had a crime organisation background i ve seen before\’Satya\’ made me feel that these all are very entertaining plays[shooting an another person,hitting a man by rod]….I did\’t feel the terror…Satya is the first film which explored the originality of that back drop.And when varma said in that new interview "I am making a new film contract which has this underworld backdrop,i am portraying the big change which now happened in the operation of underworld..", i knew that the man is back….Why i dont want to watch \’contract\’ in multiples…I dont want to watch \’contract\’ in multiplex theatres….Actually the ambience in the multiplexes are really "karan Joharish" or "yash chopraish"….All "pretending to be rich" people will be walking here and there with a lot of kids who dressed up exactly like in a johar film…all these people have one personality..i mean they all look the same…there is no identity…everybody color their hair..every fat \’aunty\’s make themselves comfortable in a half-ripped jeans pant and their backs look like Ashok Leyland national permit lorries..and they will be talking throughout the film in the auditorium….This is what happened to "Sarkar Raj"…These women got exactly their kind of men who are not real men..somebody was spitting the pop corn from the top..and a nasty smell was killing the auditorium itself…If you watch "Sarkar" in this kind of a multiplex theatre, you will feel like you are watching \’kuch kuch hotha hai"….\’Contract\’ will be a warning to the other filmmakers who thought ramu is out and dead..It should be……Black Friday…..I ve seen Anurag Kashyap\’s "Black friday". The only thing i didn\’t like about the movie was its non-linear structure.In fact, anurag wanted to make this film only in non-linear format because the idea of putting that \’motive conspiracy act of the muslim leaders" in the climax excited him so much.So movie went \’non-linear\’.But i personally felt it would be good if he would have told the story in a narrative way.But a factor surprised me.Black friday don\’t have that much back ground music.It is not shouting.it was like a \’a few incidents capture up in a camera without the knowledge of the involved individuals".Film unfolding very slowly but at last i knew that i am disturbed , i felt a terror.I wished that to be \’just a film".But it was not.It was brutal reality.A few Indian citizens was trying to ruin their own country.I was scared to realize it\’s a fact and this horrible incident happened in our economical capital.But the movie didn\’t shout.This kind of movie should shout, i think.Satya………… Is the film which opened a vast scope to the film makers to explore this terror stuff.There was a flood of underworld films after \’satya\’.i am not qualified to write about \’satya\’.[I should wait till i grow up…hmm..really].i really mean it…i wanted to write a lot about \’satya\’, but i cant because each time when i am searching for words , i am realizing that this is not the rite word..i am not getting anything which can match the standards of the movie..I believe \’satya\’ is a complete structured cinema which can be a reference in film institutes.Contract…….In my mind, visuals of satya and black friday is running when i think of contract because its \’underworld meets terrorism" but I know it will be great than Black friday and satya[this one i am not that sure..!!]..Anyway all the best…..[to you and your audience section where i belong to]………With love..Vaishak nambiar…
Mr. Varma
Sorry to go off-topic on the post, but I have been trying to get hold of a copy of your film \’Drohi\’ for a very long time now. No one seems to be able to help. Would you know whether there is a DVD, or at least who I can ask?
I loved that film, by the way. The violence was lyric; the actors, Danny and Nagarjuna and Urmila and Salim Ghouse, spot on.
Ramu,
I hope just the way Charles Dickens\’ works like Great Expectations and Oliver Twist is taken as a reference by the present generation as a first hand look at the social life in London during the 1830s… I am sure that your work will be taken as a reference in the 2100+ era as a reference to the crime world in Mumbai during this present era. I am sure about it. Maybe now only half of the population will accept your work, but in future, it will be your work which will stand out, not the candly floss films. Mark my words, years after you die… when people make documentaries on how crime in Mumbai evolved and metamorphized. Your movies will be quoted frequently for reference.
regards,
Karthik
You make more \’real\’ films than, most of the Bolluwood does. I don\’t see why anybody even dare to ask you, "why make another underworld film". Yes, most of us want to be in our \’safe zones\’ and wish, not to know about the \’other world\’ that exists parallel to our \’normal life\’. You bring out that reality to us.
Ramu,Is it not a suicidal attempt for underworld to get involved with terrorists? Do you plan to show that fear as well in your film?Moreover, it is easy for police to have undercover in underworld, So, would terrorists have the same fear too? Are you planning to show any of such symptoms in your film Contract? I am just trying to understand how terrorists and underworld would build up trust before they can work together.
nt really intrested in contract…the promo doesnt speak anything to me(honestly)…it has no mystery in it.u know there will be violence nd violence.. nd more ..its all in face.. nothing extraordinary.. it looks like regular violence movie like james or shiva (new one). sorry to say bt ill nt watch it.
Hi guys below is the link that RGV shared his supernatural experiences. First and third are funny and common superstitons that we heard but the second one is really a SCARY one.Click on the link to read…Ramu shares his supernatural encounters
I think, you don\’t like what you are. That\’s the reason you like your opposites, the Buchans. Comment please.- Sridhar
the promos of "Contract" had been playing on the television and on looking closely i did saw something that really bothered me..there is a scene in which a guy does a back flip with the use of the rigs(wires) this is the last thing i would expect from a film which is a part of a quasi trilogy of Satya and Company, i hope i am wrong and i dont see any wire works in this film…!!
Waiting for CONTRACT.
Sir,
U said that u watched SHOLAY 23 times & very much inspired with the last scene i.e., the coin scene which u r thrilled towards sound system of those days.
Coming 2 AAG what is the alternative scene of the coin?
ur coming actress AMRUTHA is Gorgeous , expecting good performance apart from cleavage show
I loved this shot in sarkar raj. Shankar is shot and he is brought to the hospital. Here camera is moving, for a moment I thought it was moving up, where in fact it is moving across and far below vehicles are shown coming in the opposite direction. The whole shot makes an impact. I was thrilled by this more than anything else in the movie.
What are these names that "present" the film, which are shown during the credits?
For example Phoonk is a Ram Gopal Verma film, we understand that it is directed by you. But then why does a Pravin Nischol "present". Then "One More Thought Production". and then again " an Azam Khan Production".
Are there more than one producers? Then why is Praveen Nischol?
-Vinay
Hi Ram Gopal Varma,I found your blog really an exciting place to understand your viewpoints and also the whole spectrum of audiences reaction towards your movies, your relationships, your ideas, your thoughts, your "reactions to reactions" and various other aspects. This is one hell of a place in the cybersphere…I regularly go through your blog and always get to see some new information.Well now coming to your films. No doubt you stand out to be the esential different director…someone who doesn\’t make the cliche…kinda movies….someone who brings in new themes, new techniques and new stories, basically something "different" and defenitely you have succeeded at that. So when people..people who have some vested interest write you off…I guess the best thing to do is ignore ..ignore those retards who have a agenda to deride anybody who is having the guts to be himself. They dont deserve much attention. People like Jha\’s , Sen\’s..should be simply switched off…I found it really really funny when you said..this guy has given two-n-half rating to Tashan..and he has the gall to give two stars to Sarkar Raj…it was really hilarious….appreciate your candor man, appreciate everything you are trying to do in Bollywood…and change the face of it..but this medium is good for you interact with your real audience…mind you there are millions out there who appreciate your movies…..Good Luck for you endeavor man…Just do it!!!!!!!!
Here is a point of view from a film buff. Reading your comments on Contract makes it an exciting and interesting film to watch. So now till the release my imagination is going to come into play. How is this movie going to look and how it is going to suprise me.
It is obvious that your creative instincts have been in work to come out with this idea of a movie. I get equally excited reading about it and just cannot help waiting to watch the movie. It goes the same for Phoonk – the trailer looks terribly exciting.
My weakness though is i always expect others to enjoy what i have enjoyed myself. I expect others to notice the difference between the good and the bad, the classy from the run of the mill. It can be aterrible letdown when the movie which scores high marks for me flops badly.
Thats when frustration creeps in with this whole Bollywood framework of movies that work and do not work. It is very confusing trying to understand why people cannot appreciate a movie where the director has put in a real effort.
Maybe i should just start watching movies for my own pleasures and leave the reviews to the geniuses.
the first movie directed by krishnavamsi was produced by you and it stopped for some reasons. and you made that film again .wat was that movie? why did you stop it?
there is a rumor that you had disputes with Mr. chiranjeevi when you were in telugu industry and thats why you left tollywood is that true?
Mr Varma, what do you think about Chiranjeevi\’s political entry? What is your opinion on filmakers becoming leaders? Do you have any ambitions to enter politics and become a leader? Would you consider joining Chiranjeevi\’s Political party if he requests you? Why was your movie with Chiranjeevi scrapped in the middle after having shot some scenes and songs? Kindly answer. Did I ask too many questions? 🙂
Regards.
Antha Kushalama?!?
🙂
Hi RGV
You say that \’Satya\’ released in 1997….but, the \’Contract\’ promo refers \’1998 – Satya\’? Could there be a disconnect between you and the promo guys?
Just guessing….pls correct me if I am wrong….
Is there any chance that you will make a movie on how the mafia started actually… I mean u keep making movies about how the inside view, outside view, mafia meets terrorism movies, but how about making a prequel kinda movie on how all this has started.
Sir,
can we expect sequel 2 Sarkar Raj?
I observed 1 thing, the phone conversation between Sarkar and Chinku,Sarkar says that "pata nahi aaj kal bachhe kya chahti hai"
So the under current line in the next film might be the struggle between Sarkar and Chiku.
What\’s ur comment?
Hi Ramu, Who cuts your promos? i would rate Ramu promos to be Number One in Indian Cinema Scenario! they are amazing… they are apt…they are quick…they are perfect….they surely attract the audiences to theaters… you are BAAP of publicity design!
I happened to watch that "Hey..raama.." song from Rangeela again today….In that song,you have portrayed the act of sex like a attack and defence…Like dominique wanted it and but she defenced it…Howard was attacking her like an animal….Is that an inspiration from that rape scene[i dont know weather one could call it a \’rape\’ ] from "fountainhead\’ ……if you portrayed it as ur version you could have sensed the original reasoning behind that….Howard thinks that \’having that kind of a brutal sexual act is just a necessity for him like making the building on the earth……You are a great ayn rand fanatic…what is the logic behind this…
With love..Vaishak….
Sir,
SarkarRaj: In some scenes, the background light i.e., the sunlight affected(dominated)thefaces of the artistes.
whatever it is,
U r the prestidigitator of movie making.
Now a days, your film trailers are not that much good.
Sir,
I noticed the shadow of jib camera in the first shot of Sarkar Raj…..
The promo looks very promising, i hope its as good as your previous movies…
hello Mr. RGV,
well sir adhvik is a good name but you know wat saurabh suits him the best,his real name you know.trust me sir this gu rocks big time,we r indeed great friends,but my badluck that i had to come back because of some infection in my brain.well sir kindly ask him to get it contact with me as i lost my mobile in mumbai itself.n if i get a break in your movie,i\’d be thank ful to you all my life,its my humble request sir
Well thats my dad\’s picyou can check out my pics in facebook itself,my user name is Rachit Madan
rajupromo is not tht good….i guess ur quality of film making is coming down …
When are you making a film in Telugu? We would like to see you making something like Kshana Kshanam and Anaganaga Oka Roju.
hello sir , i dont care what the world says about u .. but , im in awe with ur direction .. ur camera tinges,ur back ground scores, the way ur camera moves.. u tend to say things without much talking.. thats what i love.. u are showing some people (im not gonna name them )how a movie should be shot.. all of them(present day directors) are still a big zero … i watched \’aag\’ first day of release ..i liked some parts of it.. esp court scene of babban, he staring at mohanlal only… sir, hats off.. and im a big big fan of mohanlal too ..and if sarkar would have been made by any other director in india other than u , it wouldn hbe what it was.. it was a majestic,powerfull movie… its one of the best movies india has
india has ever seen….trust me sir… everyone is, was n will be in awe with the movie
signing off with a bow
madhav
Eagerly waiting for the release of Contract… on this friday.. 😀
Me too Eagerly waiting for the release of Contract. :)Rahul\’s SEO Blog
Hi ramu sir,I am an ardent fan of ur movies.i think ur company ,jungle, D(not directed by u) and bhoot were some of the best films from ur camp.Well I am one of the rarest creatures in this planet to have liked aag too.(i guess i liked simply b coz of the brtal depiction of babban).R u higly inspired by sergio leone when it comes to ur villians?[be it Durga Narayan Chaudhary(jungle),bhou(satya),babban etc]
ramu,
anurag kashyap claimed in a interview that u hardly watch movies these days and ur ideas are based on those u watched when u had a video library at ameerpet is that true dont u think it is dangerous for a filmmaker as he is always trying to recreate the fantacy he gone thru when he watch a movie…(as u said)
Dont you think the time has come when India needs a MODERN CHANAKYA? And celebrities can play the role of Modern Chanakya in exhorting youths to build a New India?
Dont you think the recall and referendum practice should start in India too since many a time unwanted people reach the Parliament.
And dont you think a film can be made depicting how the Modern Chanakya starts a new revolution in India?
I appreaciate ur understanding of people and cinema much better than many others, I have learned a lot abt cinema just by reading abt you and I succeeded in understanding your instincts, views, opinions on many issues…
Thanks a lot….
hey Ramu
dont ever leave the way you are on.
You Rock!
Dont you feel like making a film on Jharkhand?
Came here through a link from somewhere. I liked the Q&A part. Just updated my blog with pictures from a recent trip…check them out if you can. http://bhanuphoto.blogspot.com
If we send u scripts/ideas, will u read them? and where do we send them.
Dear sir, i m great fan of your. i m so much interested in film direction field.i have many plot and stories,which are so different and interesting like your movies. i was writing full movie stories since my childhood.but never try to do something about it.the main aim inmy life is to show u ll my stories,script and plots. i know i can sincerely make good movie. pl help me if you you can i will definetely send my script to you. all the plots are so fresh and untouched they could create a history,if they created. waiting for your answer. my no is 098270 38577. piyush265@yhoo.com. piyush377@live.com
thanking you
piyush saini
RGV… Man i loved your Satya, Shiva and a few more movies. You are certainly a thinking director. Do you think working on multiple projects simultaneously is having a affect on your productive efficiency.If Yes, then see what u need to monitor.Me, as an audience, am only interested in some good and quality cinema, that won\’t make me feel as if i just wasted a few hours..Anyways, best of luck in future projects.
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