Varma's gamble
SUCHITRA BEHAL
Finally the verdict is out. And, curiously, filmmaker RAM GOPAL VARMA seems to have predicted the outcome rather precisely when was asked in an interview if he would like to show the remake of “Sholay” to the old gang. He remarked: “
;No, I don’t think it will be wise. They’ll want to kill me…”
But what Varma hadn’t, perhaps, bargained for was a similar sentiment from an overwhelming section of the audience. Even as moviegoers gave it the thumbs-down, Varma defended his remake. “I think my version of ‘Sholay’ will appeal to three kinds of audiences — the die hard fans; those who have seen ‘Sholay’ but are not that into it; and those who’ve never even heard of the original.”
What Varma forgot was the branding of that film is so powerful that it left little scope for further interpretation. However, Varma was clear about the underlying sentiment. Said he, “See this film is simply my interpretation of ‘Sholay’. I’m just showing it in a different light and it is not necessary that mine needs to be better than the original.” If only the audiences understand that sublime emotion, then Varma’s gamble may just about pay off.
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