Why did Ram Gopal Varma apologize after 36 years ?

Thirty-six years after his iconic debut film Shiva, director Ram Gopal Varma has extended a heartfelt apology to child actor Sushma, who was part of the legendary cycle chase sequence in the film. Ram Gopal Varma expressed regret for subjecting her to risky shots during the stunt. Taking to X, he shared a nostalgic post introducing Sushma, who is now in the USA conducting research in Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Science. He recalled how she appeared frightened in the memorable scene featuring Nagarjuna.

Responding to the tweet, Sushma expressed gratitude, saying she felt honored to be part of Shiva’s legacy and wished Varma and Nagarjuna success with the upcoming Shiva 4K release. Ram Gopal Varma later followed up with a sincere apology, admitting he hadn’t realized the risks at that time and was blinded by his passion for filmmaking. The cult film Shiva, which starred Nagarjuna and Amala, remains a turning point in Indian cinema even decades later.