Sex, Sunny Leone and Sridevi's thunder thighs

The maverick filmmaker’s short film Single X has become the talking point on social media for its outrageous poster. The time is right to talk with the man who has, more often than not, chosen to keep a low profile. 

Lots to ask him, but he has very little time he says because he is running in the jungles shooting for Killing  Veerappan. Here is a quick but candid chat with the man who is fondly called RGV:  

The poster of your short film Single X is extremely bold...

The whole point of getting into the digital space is to be extremely bold- be it about erotica, horror or violence. My interest also stems from the fact that I have many short stories which can be told in 5-20 minutes- but if stretched into a feature film, they will lose their steam. Also, I can push my creatives to the extremes without fear of getting butchered by the Censor Board.

Do you think sex still sells in Bollywood?

Sex, violence and fear will always sell anywhere in the world because they cater to the most basic instinct of human beings. 

But sex comedies like Mastizaade and Kyaa Kool Hain Hum 3 did not work at the box-office...

It's not for me to comment on films of other filmmakers, but I personally hate sex comedies because I take sex very seriously. I sincerely feel that Sunny Leone will work much more in serious dramas than in sex comedies.

And why is that?

Her very presence has an inherent sexuality, which will get enhanced if she’s presented in a serious way. If I ever direct a film with her, I will concentrate only on the intensity on her face.

You have even dedicated Single X to the Censor Board and next, you wrote a tweet saying “Who will stop me?” Why are you actively taking pangas with the Censor Board?

I am not taking pangas with the Censor Board, I am just expressing my views in my own way as a free citizen of the country. I think it's ridiculous to apply some Act formed in 1952 to the audience of today when the present day technology can allow even children to access anything, including porn on their mobile phones. It’s high time that the government grows up and treats filmmakers too like grown-ups. CBFC should just inform the audience about the content through a rating system and after that, leave the decision to them if they want to watch or not.

 

You have admitted to being a huge fan of Sridevi. However, in your autobiography Guns And Thighs, you said that she attained stardom because of her thunder thighs – a comment that you were slammed for. Do you still stand by that comment?

Yes, I stand by that tweet. Also, the article I wrote in that book on Sridevi was first published in a newspaper just after the release of English Vinglish, which Sridevi too appreciated a lot. Whosoever has a problem with that, including Boney Kapoor, are those who didn’t read it. 

After Satya and Company, you were touted to be one of the most prominent filmmakers- but your career did not shape up as expected. What do you think went wrong?

What went wrong was a mixture of mainly three things: 1) My arrogance 2) Choosing of wrong subjects to make movies 3) Getting repetitive

 

Image Source: brns & impawards

 

Do you think that Bollywood was quick to write you off after your first few flops?

Everyone has a mouth and every mouth has an opinion, and I respect the people's freedom to say whatever they feel like--- just like I do the same. 

 

Your detractors feel that you have become a laughing stock on Twitter thanks to your outrageous tweets. What’s your defense?
As I said, every mouth has an opinion and.... Wohi jo main abhi abhi kaha.

You choose to stay in Hyderabad most of the time. Why have you cut down on your stay in Mumbai?

I wanted to take a break from Hindi films for some time to replenish, reiterate and reinvent myself to become worse than ever in the best way possible. But now, I am back and have started my 'Factory' (Ramu's company's original title) all over again. My new factory is called 'Company'. 

Your once-upon-a-time-assistant, Anurag Kashyap is going through a low phase professionally. Considering you have seen him in his initial days, how do you rate him as a filmmaker?

My relationship with him is love-hate. He hates me and I love him. I don’t connect to his sensibilities as a filmmaker but I do love his passionate intensity.

 
Thumbnail Image Source: nlyhdfoto, pakistani& hamaraphotos