Ram Gopal Varma Praises the Films of K. Viswanath

Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma’s past interview remarks are currently going viral. On that occasion, he expressed deep admiration for the late legendary director K. Viswanath. In particular, Varma described his iconic film Shankarabharanam as a true representation of Indian tradition and classical music. He stated that the film had a profound influence on his cinematic journey. Varma also praised Viswanath for portraying a wide range of social themes through his films over a six-decade career, including Telugu culture, music, caste system, untouchability, gender discrimination, dowry and socio-economic challenges.

He further recalled that films like Chelleli Kapuram, Swathi Muthyam, Sruthilayalu, Swarnakamalam and Sirisirimuvva, directed by K. Viswanath, have left a lasting impact on Telugu cinema. He noted that Swathi Muthyam being selected as India’s official entry to the Oscars in 1986 was a significant achievement. Varma explained that at a time when action films dominated the industry, Shankarabharanam stood out by emphasizing traditional music, culture and values, achieving remarkable success. He also mentioned that the character portrayals of Shankara Sastry and Manju Bhargavi deeply resonated with audiences.

Reflecting on his college days, Varma said they eagerly watched the film and considered it a classic example of tradition. He highlighted that the film effectively showcased the greatness of Indian classical music in contrast to the growing influence of Western music. According to him, Shankarabharanam successfully reminded audiences who had become accustomed to Western music of the richness of Indian musical heritage. He also praised the emotional climax, where the revelation that Manju Bhargavi supported Shankara Sastry is conveyed through a subtle and powerful moment of silent acknowledgment, calling it truly exceptional.