Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma recently shared his views on Rajinikanth’s acting and the distinction between an actor and a star. Speaking to Pinkvilla, he questioned whether Rajinikanth is a great actor or just a larger-than-life star.
Rajinikanth – Star or Actor?
According to Varma, there is a huge difference between acting and stardom. He explained, “Acting is about a character, while being a star is about performance.” He admitted that he is unsure whether Rajinikanth is a great actor, stating, “I don’t think Rajinikanth can do a role like Bhikhu Mhatre (Manoj Bajpayee’s character in Satya).”
He added that slow motion is a major part of Rajinikanth’s screen presence. “Without slow motion, I don’t know if Rajinikanth can exist. People enjoy watching him walk in slow motion for half the movie without doing anything. It gives them a high.”
Varma clarified that he was not insulting Rajinikanth but simply explaining how Indian audiences perceive him. He compared Rajinikanth to Amitabh Bachchan, stating that audiences don’t like to see megastars in ordinary roles.
“When a star plays a regular character, it can be disappointing. I once saw a scene where Amitabh Bachchan’s character had a stomach ache. I hated that scene. I don’t want to see him like that. Stars are like demigods, and demigods cannot play normal characters.”
Bollywood vs. South Cinema – The Pushpa Debate
Varma also discussed the rise of pan-India films and Bollywood’s failure to connect with the masses. He recalled an incident where a Bollywood producer mocked Allu Arjun’s appearance in Pushpa: The Rise.
“When he saw Pushpa 1, he told someone, ‘North Indian audiences will puke on this guy’s face.’”
Varma pointed out that the producer preferred actors with six-pack abs and perfect looks. However, after the massive success of Pushpa 1 and 2, he believes the same producer must now regret his words.
According to Varma, Bollywood filmmakers cannot replicate the success of South Indian films like Pushpa because their storytelling is too polished and lacks raw energy.
“Most Bollywood filmmakers think within a limited space, like the Bandra area. Their creativity is restricted.”
South Directors Are More Rooted
Varma praised South Indian filmmakers for their deep connection with the audience. He stated that many of them don’t speak English fluently but still make films that resonate with the masses.
“I won’t name anyone, but most South directors don’t speak English well. They are simple, rooted, and don’t try to sound intellectual. That’s why they connect with the masses, unlike Bollywood directors.”
According to him, this deep cultural connection is why South Indian cinema is dominating the Indian film industry today.
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