All eyes on ‘RGV Ki Aag’
One of the most awaited films of the year, ‘Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag’ has finally hit theatres today (August 31), but will it attract the audiences? Even though the film may boast of some of Bollywood’s biggest actors in its starcast, the premiere of the modernized version of Sholay was anything but starry.
Though hopes are high and the buzz exciting with reams of newsprint and TV airtime having gone into dissecting every aspect of ‘Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag; - the rather lack-lustre premiere certainly seemed to dim the promise of a box office home-run for Verma’s interpretation, something that even the filmmaker doesn’t try hard to deny.
“My expectations? I think many people will hate the film,” said Varma matter-of-factly before sauntering away from out cameras.
While most of the Bollywood fraternity was conspicious of their absence for reasons best known to them, even some of the film’s cast itself chose to distance themselves from ‘RGV Ki Aag’, while some seemed quite clueless as to what to expect from the Maverick.
“I don’t know exactly what to expect, because have come here with a blank slate right now,” said a non-committal Ritesh Desmukh.
But the star glitter - or rather the lack of it - hardly seemed to affect the ensemble. The cast seemed quite optimistic about the Varma experiment
“Yes, I have watched it I have really liked it, it is a very fast moving film with a modern 2007 backdrop and our generation, I think, is really going to enjoy it,” said Prashant Raj who plays the modern-day Jai.
“Our expectations are going to be good, and high and hopeful, we have done our work and I hope that people like it,” said Vijay-turned-Gabbar (Babban), Amitabh Bachchan.
So, will the controversies and not to mention Ms Mataondkar’s gyrating ring in the turn-stiles at the box-office?