Bollywood’s clash with the underworld has been a topic of debate for decades. Over the years, there have been many incidents that have rocked B’town. Recently outside Rohit Shettyback home in Juhu, everyone was worried. Shortly after the shooting, the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang claimed responsibility for the attack. Among all this, “Satya” is a famous director Ram Gopal Varma shared his thoughts on this matter. In an exclusive interview with us, RGV recalled the influence of the criminal world on the industry back in the 90s.
Below are excerpts from our conversation.
Ram Gopal Varma on the shooting incident at Rohit Shetty’s house
Ram Gopal Varma expressed concern over the origin of the attack. He insisted on investigating what happened before the shooting incident. RGV mentioned, “To begin with, there must have been a previous attempt before the shooting incident happened, and only Rohit can say no? True. So, did Rohit get any extortion calls? He’s not saying. So how do we know what an attack is?”
Ram Gopal Varma on Bollywood’s encounter with the underworld in the 90s
Later in the conversation, he shared, “Look, as far as we know, it’s just somebody having fun; we really don’t know.
Indeed, it is impossible for a criminal organization with a brand to surface. Even Bishnoi’s roots are in another state, not in the city of Bombay.” Recalling the underworld threats and incidents in the ’90s, Ram Gopal Varma added, “When it happened in ’97, ’98, I think it was like a movement. I mean, in terms of scale, not some isolated incident. Yes, no, no, everybody was at risk. Everybody who was somebody. Think of Rakesh Roshan, who would forget, he was actually shot at. Yes, they tried to kill the producer Manmohan Shettythen, of course, Rajiv Rai. I don’t believe he will come back.”
Ram Gopal Varma’s view on the claims of the Bishnoi gang
“Organized crime is different from an isolated incident, which can be a crime caused by anything, including someone doing it just for the sake of it. Bishnoi is the only guy who continues to claim he did it,” he said. “It’s a badge of honor for him, you know, he’s a criminal. At the time, there was a guy named Ali Budesh who claimed responsibility for everyone who was killed. He claimed it just like that,” concluded Ram Gopal Varma.
