Memories of the Cycle chain
..
It’s amazing for me the sheer number of people the way they remember the impact that “Shiva” had on them. Recently I was travelling from Hyderabad to Vizag and after a few minutes into the flight the passenger next to me asked me who I was as he felt that I looked familiar. When I told him I am a filmmaker he exclaimed, “Of course you are Ramgopal Varma.”
For the rest of the journey he told me in detail his memories of how he and his friends went triple-riding on a bike to watch Shiva and how they were fined when caught by a cop and after watching the film what they did and spoke and what his 2 friends were doing now. The amazing thing for me was that he has not seen any of my other films including Satya, Company, Rangeela etc. Some of them he just heard about and he told me he didn’t see as he got busy in life and he lost interest in watching films in general. But yet he remembered the minutest of details surrounding his watching of “Shiva”.
Anyway the point is that his memories of Shiva are so strong that it carried forward his respect for me for 20 years. Similarly I so very often keep hearing from people, even on this blog people talking of their memories of Shiva.
Ironically my memory of Shiva is very different primarily because that was not a film I have done with great enthusiasm as my heart was more in “Raat”. Only because Nagarjuna’s brother Venkat asked me if I can come up with a hero-‘centric’ story I just hurriedly put together some college experiences of mine and wrote a first one-line story in about 30 minutes. I literally copied scenes and characters from films like Kaalicharan, Arjun and a host of other films of that time. All in all Shiva for me was more of an entry point into the industry and to establish a certain position of strength.
Shiva was a price I wanted to pay so that investors will tolerate Raat and Nishabd like films for me. An industry guy commented to someone after the release of Shiva “Now that bastard Ramu can eat on this film for the next 10years as because of this films brilliance people will bear with him no matter what crap he makes for the next 10years.”
Having said all this I was like a possessed guy in terms of sheer intensity on location in Shiva. I wanted to do everything myself. There was an action director called Raju Master who pretty much was the top guy at that time. When I didn’t like what he was doing I took over and started doing the action myself. If you see Shiva you will see mostly only stomach punches and hooks to the jaws and the reason for that is because I know only these two moves which I learnt in my days of boxing and dabbling in martial arts.
Everybody on sets used to be amazed at my seeming clarity in what I was doing considering my absolute lack of experience.
When I was speaking about a certain equipment called the steadicam, which I read about in American Cinematographer magazine, to a certain camera assistant and told him that it is available only in Hollywood he told me that there is one in Chennai since 4 years but nobody uses it. I was shocked to hear this and when I discussed with my cameraman Gopal Reddy he was very reluctant to use it as he claimed that “you can’t control focus and also can’t centre the frame”. I argued with him that it’s not important in a chase to maintain these both and insisted that we use it.
So I became the first feature film director ever to use the steadicam in India and don’t forget that it was available to all for 4 years before that. People have an instantaneous resistance to any new technology and always wait for someone else to try it. The effect of the steadicam in the chase sequences was so much that within a year of Shiva’s release 7 steadicams were imported because of the demand.
I was very skeptical about the cycle chain breaking scene because in reality it’s impossible for anyone to actually break a cycle chain. When I tried to do it I realized that I will probably break my hand if I pulled hard enough and not the chain.
But I could not resist from using that scene because I was super sure of the impact that it will have on people and I took the chance on the basis that none of the people among the audience would have ever tried to break a cycle chain in their lives, so they would not know if it can be actually broken.
My con worked and how? For 20 years since then I keep hearing people claiming how they started using the cycle chain as a weapon after watching “Shiva” and I know that is just in their imagination as I know that firstly you can’t break it with your hand and secondly it is a very impractical weapon. If you swing a cycle chain at somebody there are more chances that it will hit you while swinging back. It took us a good 15 minutes to wrap a real cycle chain around Nagarijuna’s knuckles for the close-ups because of the stiffness it has and of course a dummy was used for the long shots.
Nevertheless I get quite thrilled when somebody talks about their memories of “Shiva” in general and the cycle chain in particular as I know that the joke is on them. I laugh within myself but also take a pride that that the cycle chain is still hitting.
If you promise not to laugh I am posting here some location pictures from “Shiva” which my mother dug up from an old closet.
Tagged as company, cycle, nagarjuna, nishabd, raat, Ramgopal Varma, rangeela, satya, Shiva, steadicam + Categorized as Entertainment, Film, My Life
190 Comments
Trackbacks & Pingbacks
-
Believe it or not : Ramu bhi kabhi jawaan tha! « fight club
[...] To read the full post on Shiva & the famous cycle chain scene, click here. [...]
WoW ! Seems interesting. Now I should go and look out for the Shiva DvD. Havent seen it yet :P
Haaah, you look like a kid in these pictures. Sweet !
stomach punch : is that HIGHLIGHT cafe ? in vivekananda nagar kukatpally ????
I was in a hair saloon when shiva shooting was going on, the barber left me there in middle to watch the shooting ?
shiva has set the trend for cycle chain….many movies made fun of this tooo……
recentlly when i had to replace my bike chain i asked the mechanic i want the old chain :)
Ramu, did you have any prior experience when it comes to technicalities of filmmaking prior to Shiva. Was it your idea to make it hindi? I thought the casting of the villain of terrific. But you are right, when it comes to Shiva, I can vividly recall some shots and definitely the sounds in them.
Awesome post! The chase scene was really fantastic. Have you ever used a green screen for an effect shot? How difficult it is to use a green screen?
the font …of ur text is better now ….
Thanks for your pics Ramu.
They are very sweet to see :)
@Ramu,
Two days back i was narrating to my boss ( he is from TN) the impact of ‘Shiva’ on youth for generations to come and here your post coincides with it.
I guess SHIVA completely changed the way youth are perceived both by the society and politicians alike. The movie convinced people that a group of normal guys can gang up against any might.
Hey Umbrella,
Thats very interesting. Especially the pics, where you are with big mustache, spec’s and being lean. Its a dream for hundreds of guys making their first film. I saw Saurav Ganguli in one of the old cricket matches recently. He was so lean, his hair was not combed and uneven, was with very dirty costumes but was taking wickets like any thing and was cheering up the audience. I think people start paying more attention to trivial stuff like looks, getup etc. after some success and it starts making their journey go the other way. But luckily thats not the case with you, atleast till now :)
@ All non Andhra ppl,
Shiva is considered to be a bible by the industry people in Andhra. It literally changed the way the industry was functioning.
in the pictures u r looking like a teacher guiding his students to do their work :D
You know there is a guy in my college who carries a cycle chain in his pocket. Wow!
u look like a kid
How didi u built faith in nagarjuna as he was a big star at that time . Did you have any contacts from industry
My girlfriend is blushing seeing you pics. I hate you for it man!!
interesting..and i’ve a doubt..
If ’shiva’ charecter would have entered in this hi-tech age,what ’shiva’ would drag as weapon instead of cycle chain which became now absolutely outdated?
Thank u ramu sir to share ur experience in making shiva film.
Have u ever ever thought that u would become more familiar than Nagarjuna???
Nagarjuna was too handsome.
He is still handsome compared to his generation heroes.
Forget Shiva and thank your mother for these gems she pulled out
The way you look twenty years ago is adorable-sensitive and gentle and artistic
you should start wearing glasses again-suits you
@ ramu,
i am siva prasad aka shiva
I have very fond memories of shiva.I was 4 when shiva was released.I still remember the teens in our colony uttering the dialogue(SHIVA SHIVA EVADA SHIVA AFTER ALL COLLEGE STUDENT) when ever they came across me.( I never knew that time they were just mimicking the original dialogue as my name happened to be shiva.Years later i understood it)
An year ago MY HR called me and asked me not to be pale and carry a grim look on face which is a symbol of negativity.I asked him that i cant camouflage laugh on my face and would be serious to which he said, ” Dont be pale otherwise u could be as serious as najarjuna in SHIVA”
When i was in class 6th(1996) i had seen writings on the wall seemingly influenced by SHIVA( VOTE FOR SHIVA. P.S: mine was a government school come college)
A friend of mine in class-10th brought a cycle chain( wrapped it up in pocket and was caught later) to the class as he was planning to beat some other guy.
HIVA would be eternal such that next generations would be dying to know who the director of shiva was.
sigining off here is shiva :)
I doubt whether you would remember us. Didn’t think I would bring it up but as you are talking about Shiva, I thought why not…
I was there…we were in awe of you guys…you had taken over our space. In the holidays all the buildings and grounds were ours to do what we wanted but not that summer as it was lent out to you guys…and I don’t think you bargained on pesky teens hanging around all the time, and ’shubhalekha Sudhakar’ didn’t help matters …constantly encouraging us and our ever daring forays into your areas…
One particular shot…where Amala taps Nagarjuna on the shoulder on the right side and then moves to the left immediately…he was supposed to look on his right and not finding someone there should have had this nonplussed expression and then look left a bit puzzled…I don’t know what you remember of that shot but I have some great memories…especially the number of takes ;-)
You didn’t smile much…and we were careful not to come under your radar…
And I must say we fell in love with JD more than Nag…still have the notebook with all your signatures (somewhere)…and Sudhakar was amazing!
We knew that the ‘Botany’ song will be a sensation and we used to love watching that song being shot…and so on and so on and so on…yes, 20+ years on and I remember Shiva that vividly but then I suppose I have had more reason than others…
still waiting – for a mixed up gu are you Shaken or Stirred? my bet would be on S…
YOUR ATTEMPT MAY FAIL, BUT NEVER FAIL TO MAKE AN ATTEMPT suits you aptly i think…
@ Ruchi,
Hi, apologies for replying so late, i dont think animals are socially programmed like humans, animals have a behavior which amplifies their instincts, they can have sex in public. Humans are made to think it is a shame to have sex in public.Except in thailand ;)
well i feel movies (including literature) should be made with heart not with too much hair splitting analysis … so i am happy that your most memorable scenes are because of your passion of movie making not intellectual exercise …
on the other hand … i am even happier that you are talking about your old movies … keep em coming.
Very nice post….
I am a big fan of yours.
I had watched Shiva 10 times when it was relaesed in Calcutta.
Sir , I have one question, I am big fan of Amitji.
I think your the right director used his talent in the right way.
Sarkar Raaj/ Sarkar/Nishabd was damn good.
Aag – don’t like it – I think the films went worng due to you obsession to Sholay and how better you can portray Amitji.
My questions are :
1. What was the budget of Nishabd?
2. What was the net gross of Nishabd?
3.Overall how it fared in the box office ?
Thanks
Eagerly wauiting for RANN/AAGAYAT
Hi Ramu,
thanks for sharing the pic, you looks very nice, where was your glases gone?
when you making Shiva do you think its going to be a big hit? that time do you have any backup plans if shiva not going to be hit? please share your thoughts when you making shiva please.
keep entertaining us.
cheers
Sriramaraju
brahmanandam’s reaction
”
ENTIIIIII ???
SHIVA EDHO HADAAVIDIGAA INTEREST LEKUNDA THEESARA…
RAATHRI ASALAINA INTEREST AA ???
KAANI SHIVA HIT..RAATHRI FLOP
vaaaammmmooooo….ne chachipotha….railekkada …thaadekkada..vishamekkada….”
ramu
do u act as well to explain the scene to the actors?I reckon lot of directors show the expression enacting.or would u just say ” i need a serious look,……pale..angry look..or confused look explaining the context of the scene?
I wonder why I never really heard about Shiva before I started following your blog.
Is it so famous only in Andhra Pradesh?
People here are like raving admiration for this movie. I seriously must go and look for it.
Ramu!
I was in 7th Grade and Visited my Native (from Mom’s side Managalore) There was talkies called Jyoti where it was running House Full in Telugu version. I being a congenital Cinema fanatic and BRED in Big Bad Bombay was highly Biased with hindi movies so half heatedly went for the show with one of my uncle and for that age I Loved the Action and the Camera work, Raghuvaran Rocked, and your infamous Raguvaran ki igniting entry mind blowing experience boss which i guess in Satya you repeated with urmila. when i came back to Bombay after my Shiva got released partially dubbed and did muliple watch I just could get come out of the AWE of it. specially the camera work and Backgorund score which i am sure was path breaking in indian cinema. among the scnes i liked and which kept me pondering for many days were one where Amala is abducted, the camera is on her then the scene ends from camera coming under from Maruti Omini with the goons waiting. AWSESOME. The Only thing i hated was the performance of SHIVA himself actually the movie should have been RAMU yaaar. nagarjuna was pathetic total dead face no expression. ( now again if you wanted him to be like that then its a different story)
When Nagarjuna is coming towards JD before the chase scene, and he moves back slowly there is closeup of his sneakers AWESOME! steady cam i never knew something so chase was mystery to me for a,long time. Arjun ka influence i felt but that was beautifully done, what i appreiciate is your honesty and the passion towards cinema KEEP going guru..
Confessions!!!
When i saw the teaser for rangeela, there was Hai rama wala number where jackie is in horse and all i thought boss this is gonna be a DAMN good action movie and I went (1st day 1sr show -which is the only movie i Have seen like that). I was highly Disappointed cos whole movie i was expecting ki kuch action aayega kuch camera work wizardry will showup and the movie ended with just one SLAP and ONE Shooting site for Fight Avoiding action scene. But Rangeela again was very entertaining without SHIVA hangover. When i read in Sunday review You are gonna make Satya. As i Come from ghetto i thought no body else can help you in it then as i could. but you proved me wrong but i still think Lotta finer points could have been added.
I fooled the production Manager in Kaun ka set at panvel to barge in and meet you. and unfortunately that days shoot was cancelled. and after that i was not able to come back! Well its a loss i will regret forever!!
there are many more things!! may some other time.
Do u believe that I watched Shiva 4-5 times at the age of 4?
from that onwards im big fan of Nag and after coming to 12th standard i understood ur technical brilliance in film making and became fan of u.
Movie as a craft…or any other form of entertainment actually makes the viewer/audience suspend his/her disbelief. If that doesn’t happen the entertainer has failed. IN my opinion its not entertainment at all if it doesn’t make you suspend your disbelief.
The scene of Shiva has such an impact. Still remember the chain scene which i had viewed years bak as a teenager. Whenever friends talk about that movie refrence to that scene does occur.
A movie buff that i am…i hate watchin movies which makes u disbelieve and eventually bore you to death. The last such example that comes to my mind is CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA.
The ones that entertain me, i watch them over and over again. Like sarkar or a Rand De Basanti or spiderman 2 or Nishabd etc. They never can bore you.
Somewhere the teaser and TV trailors does tell us whats in store. Have saved myself from lot of FACTORY products, thanks to TV teasers :P
I want to be directer defiantly one day I will Direct…
Point is you made a movie with Nagarjun. That time he is a star son with this movie he become a STAR. You made Sarkar 1 & 2 … there are so many big stars AB & AB junior… ETC
We watched so many movies because of those actors AB’s. But in SARKAR we are watching RGV in the movie. he is not even in a single frame…
Yes AB’s are great actors we are not worried about stardom or acting or glamor what ever it may be. They are just dummy to me….
We are looking at director & his work what he is going to do in next scene how he is telling the story….
Every one is discussed about director only till now…. For a director this is a achievement according to me………
is jia character in nishabd ur alterego ? there is small poetry in film which goes like this
i am what i am
not what u want to see
if i am not what i am
then what i would be
what twist & turn do u think hit me right
better u hit straight & take light
these lines prompted me ask to above question !
Hi Ramu
Your “SHIVA” was really a landmark movie in all aspects like sound effects,cinematography,script,music & direction. After shiva, Indian cinema woke up from their regular pot boiler romantic story and started experimenting with new & different scripts. All the credit must go to you for making Shiva happen.
Is it true that you used meat/mutton for punching/hitting sound effects in this movie?
I’ve seen photographs before you have posted from one your assistant Puri Jaganath’s movie “Neninte”.
Regards
Prithvi
I was in 7th class when this movie released, I went to the first show(5:30PM show) on first day with out having a clue except it is Nagarjuna’s movie. The impact and memories of this movie are still fresh with me.
I went back to my memories. I watched this film in my childhood, when in 7th standard, one day before Mathematics Examination. I wrote the Exam calculatively perfect. I got 95% knowingly (Exit-Exam Predictions) and 100% unknowingly (the effect of the previous day).
wow I always wanted to ask what happened to your spects. do you have sight.
Ok. let me share mine. I think I was 4 or 5. Me, my dad and mom went to Warangal for a marraige and asked the apple shop guy about some good movies running. He advised Siva. We took tickets and went to the movie and found out that that is some English movie. Had some discussion with the theater guys and then got tickets for Shiva running in the other theater, finally watched the movie. Sudhakar killing scene, Nag poring tea on Ganesh, Gollapudi killing scene and a chase are what I can remember.
something you said in the post reminded me of what George Lucas once said “I’ve worked hard enough and earned enough to fail for the rest of my life. And I’m gonna do it!!”
Spec’s might have become contact lenses… :)
Sir
In the 3rd pic, you are not looking like a debutant director.
your gesture and ur looks straight to Nag…
cool…it shows your confidence..
I was in my 5th standard, I went to my uncle’s place ( away from my home town ) with my dad. We were planning for a movie, and as any normal kid of that age would do, I also wanted to watch “Lankeshwarudu” instead of “Shiva” (Both the movies got released more or less at same time). But my uncle insisted to watch Shiva as he watched it already and he is praising the director for the his new and refreshing approach towards film making. He even told my dad that this director is a young lad without any experience, movie is volent without blood shed etc.,. And we watched it.
I was so excited after watching it, I wanted to kick someone on my way back to home, I started narrating the scenes to my friends in school. From that day my approach towards movies has changed completely. I started watching moving because of directors not actors.
Another reason why I did not want to watch Shiva that day was I hated Nagarjuna. Because, I watched “Majnu” in Doordarshan some months earlier and the protagonist ( Nag ) is a drunkard and he dies in the climax of that movie.
Ramu, THANKS A TON for making Shiva. And for all those who hasn’t watched it till now, I pity you.
RGV, Krishna Vamshi, Shiva Nageshwar Rao, Rasool Ellor, Jd Chakravatrhi, Uttej,… one single movie, 100 outcomes.
Ramu , have you seen the movie “PERFUME”. I liked it very much, especially climax. But many of my friends said that I am insane and gone mad to have liked it.
Another aspect that Shiva established was the sound effects during fights. The “dishum” sound, which you got away from in Shiva, for the more concise or believable sounds for punches and jabs, was a revelation in itself for the audience. I don`t think I have heard dishum since then in fight sequences.
- Sriram.
i have a great feeling towards shiva even without watching it..it is purely because of listening to my father’s views about it..the way theatres were crowded and all…
I would relate the protagonist in PERFUME movie with you in real life. You seem to have similar obsession for film making as the protagonist has for a perfume in the movie.
@dracula
i too have seen the movie and the climax makes sense( At the end of the day he would die pursuing his insane passion)
@dracula
rgv wants to make films not hit films unlike the protagonist who wants to make the best perfume thus far unseen perfume that mesmerises the whole world
now as you have posted an entry on shiva, could you please post a blog on your film “ananaga oka roju” too. According to me, it’s one of the best telugu comedies. Can you please post a blo on Brahmanandam too.
@mikeyiconoclast
I too meant the same.I am referring to the intensity of the desire towards a goal ( It can be a Movie or a Perfume).
yes, i would remember the emotion created in nagarjun,s face with the cycle chain in his hand
courtesy: evergreen shiva wall posters
Hey fellas,
RGV got laser treatment!! Why contact lenses?? He went for the BEST Technology out there!!
Hey Sripal Sama, me too from warangal.
Wbats the difference in working with Ilayaraja for Shiva in 1989 and 2004 ?
Hmmm….interesting Ram….You look much better now than those pics…:)
Ramu,
Shiva was definitely a wake-up call for people used to, typical formula movie- 4 fights, 5 songs including one rain song, 3-4 comedians with totally irrelevant side track comedy etc. LOL.
First one thing, this comment posting is strange. We have to register and then log into wordpress, why take such a route unlike so many wordpress blogs where you simply post. A
Anyway one honest question, not to doubt your honesty.
When you said the steadicam was used in chase scenes, was it when Nagarjuna with girl on cycle is chased by goondas also. As you mentioned before, you lifted that from Arjun, if that is true, Arjun director Rahul Rawail should be the first one to use steadicam, but if you are talking about other scenes, fine.
Another question: When you made this movie, 1989, almost 20 yrs ago, you were 26yrs old. No experience, a couple of unsuccessful stints with B. Gopal etc, now you are in sets surrounded by veterans like Raju master, Gopal Reddy, Tanikella Bharani what were your feelings? Did you get those inferiority feelings, feeling as if people are questioning everything you do or laughing behind your back, OR just focus on work, ignore everything else?
Thanks nice blog.
Ramu gaaru, please share your more experiences in making of shiva. From story making to the till day. I know it will take at least 4 to 7 blogs. But please do share it. And write it in your maverick style. :)
Please make some psycho killer movies boss. :) They need more performance from artistes. It is good to see them.
Maverick Chandu
(The Moviebee)
Di you make Aag with the same passion ?
RGV,
I remember my college days. No matter how good, bad, ugly the final exams everybody have written, after completion of final exam you are allowed to go for a movie and nobody will ask you any questions.
In the same way I finished my intermediate exams. I have already finished watching some movies in my list. In our family we all love movies, my dad is a big fan of old movies; I am big fan of old and new movies. I have an interest to know or remember main departments of the movie making like director and music director. I think ‘Shiva’ released in the month of June for the summer holidays. Since it is Nagarjuna movie I was in the impression of somebody like Raghavender rao or Kodanda rami reddy might have directed the movie, or I might have read the name of the director but didn’t pay much attention since I wasn’t expecting any miracle from Telugu film industry at that time.
I bought the ticket went into the theatre and the movie started rolling. I still remember the shock that I was in to see a telugu movie with heavy intensity after watching that first shot in the movie ‘Shiva’, I was so surprised the way the first shot of the movie was made where those gunda’s beat up couple of college students very seriously and starting the movie titles from the smoke comes from the car silencer. It was totally unique way of shooting and I never saw something like that before in any Telugu or India cinema. The entire movie makes you sit in theatre and watch it interestingly. I can tell simply the impact of the movie on everybody who watched that movie and came out of theatre used to think as if everybody is a ‘Shiva’. You can literally see the way they used to walk out of that theatre after watching the movie as if they were the hero’s of that movie.
I am pretty much sure that you might have started easy with Shiva but in the middle you would have realized that the movie is directing you but not you directing the movie ‘Shiva’.
AB.
RGV,
What made you to decide on Raghuvaran and how did you approach him? story behind it?
what did Raghuvaran say after the success of his character.
Did you ever discuss either with Venkat or Nag about skipping the songs, since you always want to avoid songs in the movie? or You are not confident enough at that point of time about your formula of not having songs in a movie?
AB.
I should tell something more also.
I was also an victim to the SHIVA movie. ;) :)
My name is Chandu. I used to do comedy with my maamaa that, I would wrap wire piece around my knuckles and hit him hard. My expectation would be like he would fall down. He would do that for me. :) :) I kept on asking him – maamayya… call me SHIVA, call me SHIVA. IF not at least call me CHIVA. :) :)
To be honest, I understood SHIVA movie when I was in engineering only. I dont know, I liked to watch that movie alone in dark room. I didnt allow any of my friends to come. The screenplay and all wiped my all thoughts. I dont know, it is like ‘Nallamandu’. I got addicted to that.
Please do not LAUGH AT ME, I tried to rewrite the screenplay for the movie thinking different camera angles and I selected my own characters. If I remake the movie, the actor surely would be a new guy with a lean body, with sharp eyes but dull in look. I wrote everything. Coming to heroine, she must not be like amala, she must be just like an ordinary ANDHRITE girl. Just a simple girl. Still that book is with me.
Actually SATYA movie pushed me to watch SHIVA in engineering. These two are the only favourite pictures of mine. I love them. They are master pieces.
I am a great fan of MEGASTAR CHIRANJEEVI besides great great great fan of RAM GOPAL VARMA the maverick object in industry. But I never wanted a movie of MEGASTAR directed by RGV. If it were happened, I would have hated both upto my neck. Because they are like NORTH and SOUTH poles. MEGASTAR confined to his image. RGV has his own style. :) :)
Still… I like you both.
Singing off…
CHIVA :) :D
I would like to propose a meet between the blog mates, especially who are interested in cine crafts like Directing, Acting etc. Since I am from Hyderabad, Only Hyderabadi’s are welcomed. I here by requesting the mates to give a shape to the proposed meet like venue,time and all. I am not expecting not more than 4 to 5 members. I inviting Sripal as the first person ,Other interested mates can inform their willingness if they want to be part of this meet. If somebody feels that this is a super silly proposal, I never mind. I appreciate your feed back. you can reach me at
surap@ymail.com
9848827272
My grandmother, who was a cinema fanatic by the way, went to Shiva thinking that it was a devotional movie based on the Lord Shiva. She ended up watching it 5 times.
It was in filmfare magazine i read that you have gone through the laser treatment and won’t be wearing any spects ( i think it’s 2001) i still remember that i was bit disappointed to know the fact that you won’t be wearing any spects from then :-)
But i always liked you in those plane white shirts and those round gandhi glasses.
RGV,
If I am not mistaken, there is a steadicam shot Shekar Kapoor used in his Film “Masoom”. The shot is in the beginning of the film when the kid is running to the interiors of a Hospital. I am compelled to write this because this is the 2nd time you claim for being the first director in India to use Steadicam. :).
-Sree
Hey RGV, nice post, can you please put some pictures while shooting Kshana Kshanam.
Shiva to me is not about cycle chain, basically I don’t like action sequences. I loved all the characters in this movie esp Sudhakar and Amala. Amala became a rage among the girls, many of my friends got the exact same yellow and white stripe dress and white shoes she wore in Botany song and let their hair loose. And I just love the songs , esp ‘Anando bramha’, I used to dance to this song so much…. I cant wait to listen to it..okay bye
Ramu,
As we all are discussing the memories of Shiva, i would like to share my expereinces related to Shiva. I was in class 5th when shiva was released. That was the first film where our whole family went together to watch it. Unfortunately the matinee show we went to was houseful, and since none of our family members wanted to go back we ended up watching another movie that was released at the same time “Bala gopaludu” by balakrishna. All though we were seeing that movie of no choice I was personally not enjoying it as my friends from school had already seen Shiva and they would go on and on about the scenes and dialougues and that used to make me feel that i was left out.
We went to shiva the next weekend and i must say i was mesmerized. botany song was highlight.
And the best dialogue for which till date I get goose bumps when ever i see the scene is
“Chinna Rod theyyi ra”. Damn …thats the best scene……
One of our school friends after few days got a broken knuckel duster from his elder brother . It was like a fantassy to have to that…..we all use to roam with that guy for few days only to get a chance to have that knuckel duster on our hands…..
By the way your last pic was used by Puri Jagannath in his latest picture neninthein in the rolling titles when the screen shows his name as the director of the movie.
how about experimental zombie genre movies like 28 days later & Quarantine on Indian screen?
Great Discoveries are by great accidents…Shiva is a great example….!! I was never a observant of films during the time Shiva was released, it was just another movie, but what I remembered the song for a while…..When I started watching movies with passion and observation, that’s when I realised the greatness of Shiva, the characters and offcourse the man behind the movie…!!! You are truly magical and like many others in this blog, film industry and filmy freaks..I truly adore you for your passion and commitment towards movies. Good Luck and a THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for making such great films!
For those who say have not heard about Shiva – Then it means you do not know RGV, in my Shiva is a epic movie and a movie which is going to remain a learning for decades to come…!!
OKAY… atlast I registered to ur site, overcoming tons of laziness just bcoz the topic is SHIVA.
If my MOM could read this article, she would definitely leave a comment. I was 6 yrs old when movie was released and I & my dad were taken 3 times to theater coz she liked it a lot. She used to talk about the wonderness of the movie, which I never used to understand until I watched it later on.
I can’t tell you exactly # of times I watched it, but, I watched it so many times that my VCP cassette was worn out in a month!!! My mom is a fan of yours till now just bcoz of shiva. My dad had to bring FIRST DAY FIRST SHOW tickets to your next film RATHRI. And it continued until ur telugu movies came flowing.
Whenever I had to go to movies with my frnds, I used to say its ram gopal varma’s movie and she used to let me go without much resistance.
That is impact of SHIVA !!!
I posted this 10 days ago in a different section and could not resist posting this again (with some modofications) as this is the apt section.
—————————————————————————————————————————————
The SHIVA effect
May 1989: Summer holidays for schools. I just finished my 8th annual exams and enjoying my summer holidays. Then a news came that some Nagarjuna’s movie shooting was going on in Keyes High School, Secunderabad.which is just at the back of our home in Rezimental Bazar/Second Bazar area.
I went there just to see Nagarjuna. I had to jump a wall to get into school and one day I did get some beatings from a constable.
Nonetheless, I saw Nagarjuna, Amala and Shubalekha Sudhakar who were known to me at that time. I saw another guy who later became famous as JD.
October 1989. Now I am in my 9th class. On October 9th, I just finished my school as usual and came home. I knew SHIVA released on this day and eager to go watch the movie as I saw ths shooting of this movie. Just then my uncle (mama) called me for a game of chess and it went on untill 5.45 PM. On one side I was trying to win the game and one one side watching the time anxiuosly.
Time 5. 45: Game just ended as draw. I had to rush to Anjali talkies in General Bazar where SHIVA was being screened. Surprisingly the theatre was not as full as expected. I went to Rs 1.50 counter and got my ticket.
Time: 6.00: The theatre was dark as the lights slowly just got switched off.
“Our sincere thanks to……….Vimal 70mm Balanagar”
smt Annapurna presents
Annapurna studios and SS creations
Keyes High school was shown as VSR college from top ….and (camera slowly gets down from front of the college gate) an ambassador car stops facing the audience…….Fight ensues…….an injured man lies on road…car starts and smoke blows on camera and (fantastic background score by Ilayaraja elevates the intensity) whole screen turns black……SHIVA (titles roll)……Time 6. 10 PM …..My life cinematic view has changed. (I knew watching any cinema would be different from then onwards)
[Untill then I used to see movies with openings like: two brothers getting seperated or a father gets killed and while the title roll the son grows to become a man but SHIVA was different. goons came punched a guy and went.....we dont who they arem why they hit thats were the anxiety builds up]
Time 7.20 PM: “…..Nanaji…..aa chavu entha bhayamkaramga undaalante, malli ee oorlo bhavani ki edhuruthiragaalani aalochana raavataaniki kuda prathi vaadu bhayapadaali” (drums beats play at the background)….INTERVAL time…….I was in awestruck and stunned………
Time 8.30 PM: ….”Shiva gets down slowly from stairs…asha hugs him…..Inspector walks in front of the camera…” (background score plays)….end titles rolll
{untill then I used to see movies where Hero beats 20 goons, saves his mother/father/sister/girlfriend from the main villian….the fights would be shot as if they are circus people…jumping and jumping and kicking But in shiva its just one to one fight}
Untill then I was used to watching “Shubham” at the end….and I didnt even care for that word this time. I was dumbstruck/ stunned/ shocked /bewildered/surprised/ awestruck/or whatever you call.
I was walking home slowly. everything seem to be so silent. I felt I was alone in that busy general bazar road. I dont know how I crossed the Kingsway road to get into shivajinagar (from there to Second Bazar/Rezimental Bazar).
9. 00PM: I came home and ate. My brother asked ” where did I go, which movie did I go (as he knews I would watch any movie first day).
I told SHIVA. “how was the movie” he asked. “Go and watch the movie. You should watch the movie soon” I replied in low tone with some ‘awestruck” voice.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
Since then my brother and I are big fans of Director RamGopal Varma.
Whenever we drink/smoke together, we always talk about movies and Ramgopal Varma.
Just last fortnight, my brother met Ramu bhai to show some posters of “Agyaath” designed by my brother. He shook hand with Ramu bhai. Next day I got a mail from my brother with subject as “lifetime achievement”
the mail read as ” I met our GODFATHER RamGopal Varma today. Shook hand with him. I showed my “Agyaath” posters. Ramu bhai said “Superb…Superb..Superb” after seeing the posters. after the I did not remember what I talked with him. I was just awestruck to meet our GODFATHER. ee janmaku idhi saalu ra…zindagi la kwaaish purthi ayyindhi”
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
Till today I still repent for not asking who the director was during that shooting at Keyes high school….(I didnt paid attention to director at that time in my 8th class as at that time I know only K.Raghavendra Rao B.A., A. Kodandarami reddy, Kodi Ramakrishna…oh god I dont even want to name them further…….)
Someday I will meet my cinema GODFATHER Ramu.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
After SHIVA was released, one of my seniors and one of my classmates (my good friend even now) were also stunned by SHIVA (and Roja at that time). They also always used to discuss movies after school hours at their homes in Marredpally (they are neighbours)
They are now Shekar Suri and Vijay Kurakula, the director and music directors, respectively of the movies “A film by Aravind” and “Three”.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
This was the SHIVA efect.
Till today I still repent for not asking who the director was during that shooting at Keyes high school….(I didnt paid attention to director at that time in my 8th class as at that time I know only K.Raghavendra Rao B.A., A. Kodandarami reddy, Kodi Ramakrishna…oh god I dont even want to name them further…….) and I was more interested to watch Nagarjuna and Amala.
I HATE THAT DAY/THAT MOMENT AND I HATE MYSELF FOR NOT ASKING WHO THE DIRECTOR WAS AND DIDNOT CARED TO MEET HIM.
AFTER SHIVA AND MANY MOVIES HE MADE, I FEEL THAT IF I DONOT MEET HIM BEFORE I DIE (RGV DIES) I WOULD BE A DISAPPOINTED MAN FOR NOT ACHIEVING ONE OF MY MANY LIFE GOALS.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
Honestly speaking, when my brother met RGV last month, I was happy and at the same time little jealous.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–
Inshya-allah, if I direct a movie anytime in future I will DEDICATE that movie to Ramu bhai…..Ameen.
of course yes who doesn’t remember shiva cycle chine fight botany song ! it was a well made film on that time. which pulled you into the industry. every one liked in south when it released first.
you look so funny with those big glass.
ILAYARAJA god’s background music for SHIVA…!!!!! .wow…so hair raising and controls u r breathing speed …….
Especially the title music ..as the camera shows walking nagarjuna from the ground level ..as he covers the sun from the camera….the music given is just perfect….ILAYARAJA WONT COMPOSE…HE REACTS TO WHAT HE SEES.HE IS GENIUS IN REACTING MUSICALLY …..thats why the outcome is sooooooo perfect…..
And the VIOLIN music with beats given for emotional scenese with amala makes u love amala till now…….and so on …difficult to type here all those….
But am very angry on RGV for not putting DHEEMI DHEEMI full song….what a compostion and how great it can be used fully with some rich photography……….
No matter what your own opinion is …. at least for me, Shiva is the best movie you made. The timing has to be impeccable to create that impact and I think you had it right on the money. I can guarantee you that a whole generation started watching different kind of Telugu cinema after Shiva.
In SHIVA, during a classroom scene- on the black board the date is written as 7-5-89. Do not wonder why there were classes going during the summer time.
Cycle chain scene is NOT A PRACTICAL JOKE. There have been countless number of movies where Hero beats 20 goons and he never gets killed or hurt, when goons try to shoot Hero and not even a single bullet hits him or when hero’s mother/sister/father are being threatened to kill, Hero comes and rescues everyone of them. THESE ARE ALL PRACTICAL JOKES ON AUDIENCE. The audience have lived with them for 20 yrs before SHIVA (in the form of NTR, ANR, Krishna, Krishnam Raju, Chiranjeevi, Balakrishna etc) and continue to live with them even after 20 yrs after SHIVA (in the form of Mahesh Babu, Prabhas, Jr NTR, Raviteja etc).
Its the intensity of that scene which makes audience to ignore about the logics behind any particular scene.
“When the Drama starts, the Logic ends” —-Alfred Hitchcock
Ramu, I have to admire your confidence on going against the stereotype style of film making 20 years ago. That too with absolute lack of experience and unproven skills.
I guess your confidence came from studying the subject deeply.
Yes Ramu, SHIVA was an important part of my life indeed. It will always remain as a special movie for me.
Below are some of my thoughts on the fights in our Indian movies:
In fact after Shiva, I thought it would revolutionize Telugu (& Indian) cinema. But sadly NO.. nothing developed except to your own movies. I especially like the fights and punches in Shiva. Good that you choreographed those fights. Otherwise these bloody fight masters design stupid fight sequences. Even after all these years after so much progression in international film making, technology and technique, the fights in telugu movies (which I hate to see) are soooooo miserable, stupid, boring, crap, foolish ..!!! I would still like to use thousand other words to describe the deprived quality of the fight scenes.
I hate these fights where guys tie themselves with ropes and flip flop around each other. A hero moves his hand or leg (or some limb) and the twenty antagonists around him will revolve around him in slow motion like a planet arbitrating round the Sun.
These dumb directors and dumb action directors demean the intelligence of audience. These stupid directors say they design those fights for the MASS. Who the hell on Earth is MASS ?!?!?!?!
One day I was watching TV, where a telugu movie star Jagapathibabu went to a prison on Independence day to cheer up the prisoners and to do some casual talking with them. One of the prisoners stood up. By the looks of him and his language (the prisoner), he looked like a guy from the slums, he also murdered couple of guys for which he is serving the sentence. So, we can safely charge him as a so-called MASS guy.
Anyway, he asked Jagapathibabu …”Why the fights in all the Telugu movies are so stupid ??, in real life it’s very hard to hit more than one guy at the same time, and almost impossible to hit ten or twenty guys at the same time ??, Why do you put such a stupid fights in movies??, do you think the audience are stupid ?? “ Jagapathibabu couldn’t answer the question and escaped with a laugh.
So, my opinion is even this guy from Slums can’t bear watching those fights, then why the f*** these stupid, ignorant, unimaginative and uncreative directors still kill the valuable movie time with those fights ?!?!?!?!? The stupid 6 songs will kill almost half of the movie time, and then these stupid fights will kill the rest half !!! Where the hell is drama and story-telling involved ????
I would say people are still watching these stupid movies because they don’t have many choices to seek entertainment. Sadly movies are the main (only) source of entertainment in India (mainly Andhra) which a common man can afford to buy.
Lord, when does the Indian (especially Telugu) feature films develop !!!!!!!!
Many people commented that telugu film industry got a rude awakening from (after) SHIVA.
During 1989, I felt the same thing that the way telugu films are made will change. but down the lane after 20 yrs, its again the same stupid movies nowadays.
Case 1. 20 Sumo’s, 200 people trying to attack one guy and the guy survives.(movie super Hit)
Case 2. A hero hits the ground in anger in a police station and the earth breaks as if there was an earthquake (movie super hit)
Case 3. Hero hanging on the bridge on one hand and cell phone in the other hand and trying to recharge the cell. the villians bullets never hit this hero.
Guys/Gals, why do you think that these kind of movies are coming again and again and running for 100 days. In my opinion, just because audience are still patronising them and its just the Drama with no logic.
I was an 8 yr old kid when ‘Shiva’ was released. I remember hearing from someone that, the violence among students in the Colleges increased drastically after the release of ‘Shiva’.
Ramu,
Even after a huge huge commercial and box office hit like ‘Shiva’, why doesn’t the producers and directors attempt to make movies like that ??? Why do they still make stupid movies with stupid fights and stupid songs ??? Even 80-90% of these stupid movies fail miserably at the box office.
Why ??????????
THE SHOCK VALUES
The shock value of cycle chain scene is that hero used a “cycle chain” unlike many other movies where used his hands to hit 20 men.
The shock value of Naresh being hit to stone is that “stone” unlike many other movies where a character like that gets killed by a lorry or car.
The shock value of Chinna’s killing is Chinna hitting an “electric pole” (the same shock values or sympathy value is also shown in Balu Mahendra’s Sadma where Kamal Hassan hits a pole in railway stn). Moreover, just wehn you think Chinna escaped the goons, he gets killed suddenly (just the “hupp” background sound effect). Thats the shock value.
Another shock value is the killing of Shiva’s niece (inspired from little kid’s killing scene of Sholay)
Another shock value is hockey sticks, chains and rods used in the movie (inspired from Arjun and Ankush)
After getting so many shocks in 2.5 hrs, the audience were not satisfied and watched SHIVA again and again and again and again and again AND WILL CONTINUE TO WATCH……
@Ruchi
Haaah, you look like a kid in these pictures. Sweet !
funny can see his mush ???? eh ?
do u have such wen yu were kid…..
Most of the guys are asking why do the current movie makers are making the same stupid movies.
My question to all of you is why are you watching those movies. why are the movies still being houseful on first day when you know for sure that its going to be the same old action story/fight.
@autojaani
/*Guys/Gals, why do you think that these kind of movies are coming again and again and running for 100 days. In my opinion, just because audience are still patronising them and its just the Drama with no logic.*/
who is asking you to watch such illogical movies ??
there are takers for such movies and so are the producers……
if you want to see some logic go join some good mathematics course …..or solve some puzzles…
Effects of Shiva:
Shiva has tremendously changed the way of Action part in Telugu Cinema,Especially its sound effects.
The Movie has introduced New kind of Villainy.
Consequently,It has given a tremendous guts for new talented directors to knock the producer’s doors.
As Since,In those days Nagrajuna was already an established Actor, This film could not produced any New master piece actor or Technician expect RAMGOPAL VARMA. He was one and only ultimate beneficiary of the movie all the way.More ever Nagarjuna couldn’t come out from his Shiva’s effect for several years and faced sequential utter flops .
My fav scenes from the movie….
cycle chain scene…..
ramayan by uttej was awesome…..
botany patam…..lyrics are superb
lite romance of nag n amala
sarasalu chaalu srivaru song
the cute kid too….
then the gang leader image which nag gets…some wat similar to Amitab in sarkar
Please convey my regards to your mother. She has done a great favor to the abnormal mankind like us!
Looking back, it was mid 1989, around 11 am, I was travelling in a bus towards Secunderabad station. The bus passed by Sangeet theatre and I saw the poster of
Al Pacino’s Scarface. The bus slowed down when it reached Keyes High School road, There were lot of people assembled on the road making ot difficult for the vehicles to move. I heared murmurs. Emiti? Cinema Shooting Jaruguthunda? I was thrilled. When I bumped into other passsengers to have a better look at the proceedings, the bus moved on. Drat! my luck! I missed witnessing a History.
I ws 8 years old then and today I curse myself for not jumping off that RTC bus.
I was wrting an article titled- “The Vicious Bicycle” on my blog and I used your reference- “And when RGV made SHIVA, the cycle chain was already making raves within me! The sheer power of cycle and its parts, became an important chapter in my life”
And you must believe me, 10 days ago, I had took my friend on my bike only to show him the location where the fictious chai bandi was put up, The college entrance where Nag gets a Dhamki from Ganesh and vice versa. Ah! I travelled to history once again! And it almost made me cry!!!!!!!
:)
@ramu
your mom gave work to many jobless ppl here :D
FORGOT
When JD is asked to throw the cigarette away by the lecturer , then he instead blows all the smoke on the lecturere’s face….The music there is terrific…..it speaks exactly the scene in a violent language……hats off to ILAYARAIA
When bhavani and nanaji walks up the stairs discussing , then behind them the dirty electric switch box with unpainted cement plastering on the wall ….all those are quite interesting and natural….we at that time never saw things like that ..i think other directors will definelty shoot in some good looking backgrounds :-)
Ramu – Each time I watch ‘Shiva’ I feel like going somewhere out there and quick some ass.
The feel same way when I watch Bruce Lee movies.
correction to my above comment
*kick some ass
@autojaani;
sensible man..
i wil give u a gift of ramgopalverma’s caricature soon.
http://www.mrithyunjaya.blogspot.com
@ Autojaani
It is not only the films in made in Telugu, there are many number of such films made in other languages too.
Why the so called ’stupid’ movies with 20 Sumos, 1 Helicopter and 200 people chasing one person called Hero and in turn Hero bashes them all, are getting successful?
Why the dubbed versions of Indra, Mass, Don, Vijayendra Varma kind of movies are getting successful in Hindi(or Bhojpuri?) speaking areas like Bihar, Chattisgarh and some parts of Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal?
Why such movies when aired in SET MAX, Colors or Zee Cinema are getting good TRP ratings (check telepedia for ratings)?
Can anyone answer?
‘one more thought’ of my blog is formed by ‘ramu’ inspiration.
he is always abnormal thats wy he is creative.
yur blog is nice …..
:)
@mrityunjay
yur blog is nice …..
:)
@purna
thanq man..but..yet to be more developed.
http://www.mrithyunjaya.blogspot.com
puri jagannath caricature.
http://mrithyunjaya.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2009-05-30T05%3A02%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7
Ramu,
“Everybody on sets used to be amazed at my seeming clarity in what I was doing considering my absolute lack of experience. ”
According to me “Clarity” can be achieved either to experience or knowledge on the subject matter, as u have already told u dont have much experience before, how did u acquire the knowledge in that corresponding field ?
This is the only post where I feel the comments of the audience is becoming far more interesting than the post. Its so exciting to read each others experience of watching SHIVA for the first time. I could possibly go on reading about SHIVA to eternity! It stimulates me when people talk about this film. Sheer power!!!
@mrityunjay
hey why just to autojani …
give it to ramu no he willl love it ..
make sure the caricature is weird
and with 6i girls around
and with vodka
:D
probably cycle chain also :D
@ Purna
By calling him a kid i did not mean a 10 yr old kid, but a kid out of high school.
And FYI, I am a female.
RGV,
You look like a super-serious guy in those pics, not the funny megalomaniac we know who never takes anything seriously. Is it true you were boring, serious, philosophy-reading intellectual guy ?
@Ruchi
just kidding….i knew u are
anyways i thought all kids be male r female have mush…….
Hi RGV,
Sitting in office..bored to death so came by your blog….well it seems this is a repition of your myspaces blog entry…nevertheless your are the king to talk about anything….especially when u r talking about Shiva….we are all ears..!!…
yea cycle chain, Shiva shiva evaddu aa shiva dialogues, punching shots, the songs, Bhavani character, Raguvaran was really really great… Amala….Amala was super sexy…since some Irish roots…both caucasian and East Indian looks…..if I am not wrong…cant forget her Oka Brundavanam song…i watch it again and again…
I remember around that time when the movie was released.going to AP…(actually my dad was posted in Neemuch Madhya Pradesh..he used to work in Cement Corporation of India ) so we had gone to AP as our annual trip to home..and we went to Vizag…we were put in a telugu writer friend. of my dad…i cant recall the name of the guy but it seems he is a well known novelist or short story writer or something…so we were having dinner..and invariabley..the talk of movies came..and it was Shiva…so this writers wife who also seemed to be some university reader or something…gave a complete negative report about it…i could not laugh about that time as i was not aware of movies or for that matter psychology or social stuff…she went on saying how the movie has “corrupting influence” on the youth….she mentioned everybody is carrying cycle chains..these days…and gang fights are increasing…her arguements were bieng countered by her husband..what appeared to be a light hearted banter..soon turned out to be a serious discussion..initially they were in their senses..very civilized..very polite..but but man…it turned out to be a big big debate!!!! It was a World War !!!!!…Cycle chain was not handy..otherwise…
Cheers
EV
I love the “Botany matinee”song from the film…
Forgot to mention about your photos..man u r looking mighty geeky..and also to agree with Ruchi…u look very very kiddish…
Cheers
EV
What was that ID card, hanging to your shirt pocket in 4th Pic.
RGV’S BLOG is like his home where we all went to and are chit chatting abt him and waiting for him…then he comes when we all are tired and sleeping and leaves a message like SANTA CLAUSE leaves gifts ….and then one by one we wake up see the gift(message) get excited and start again …..ha hah….
Earlier i used to see him as film director ..it was nice feeling…but with this BLOG we are feeling he is our close fren already……now i feel AGYAAT is my frens movie and so my critic brain may stop analyzing much .. :{
Your blog is one of the most interesting things on the net – like a chilled beer on a screwed up day. Although you may not like to hear positives, let me tell you, I have been a fan of your movies and liked the fact that you came from a background with no godfather to support you in the industry (or am I wrong?).
Look forward to more Rann and Agyaat.
Cheers,
Bharadwaj
Among the many first times and amazing things of SHIVA, my observations will go with;
1. A powerful introduction to movie titles with camera being covered with car’s smoke is amazing with the back groud score by ilayaraja.
2.The Hero will come face to face with the Villan takes almost 90 minutes, despite by the time the theme of envy between them is at peaks and this concept is established so well between characters SHIVA and BHAVANI. This one piece stands out, never said by any director till then.
3. The personal confession AMALA makes with her Inspector brother about shiva as the rising don of the city.
Ha ha. You yourself looked like Suresh (the brainy guy in the gang in Shiva)
Arrey yaar , there wuz nothing objectionable written in my earlier comment. Still it did not get posted. Do something about your filter, please!
Kota saying ‘em chestham..kandistam’ in Gayam is hilarious and satirical to the current day politicians.
You broke many cliches with Shiva
The acting was not hammy, and was sufficiently subtle
When Ganesh comes in to convince shiva to join him, shiva punches him. We thot it would be a full blow fight, but a matured shiva constraints it.
The cycle chain incident looked like a precursor because there is a part of cycle chain in Shiva’s hand. It fitted in the fist nicely and packed a mean punch
When its time to nominate someone against JD, Shiva logically selects the brainy guy, the first time round.
The slap by Rohini Hattangadi to the inspector totally unexpected.
The film was built well, slowly building up Bhavani’s fear. When Shiva for the first time (actually second) time confronts JD full on, there was little apprehension and after the second push, Shiva lets it out and pulls out the cycle chain. Totally rad! There have been umpteen cliched films when we totally know that the hero would beat the heck out of the gang. But how you managed to whip up the whistles when Shiva hits out for the first time, is something that we are yet to figure out!
The police inspector’s character was totally different, though how he allowed his sister to roam about and marry a rebel or a ruffian was a puzzle. Also when Shiva forms a gang, how they earn also was unexplained. Pretty much similar to the way we wondered about Sarkar’s revenue
@ Purna memsaab,
memsaab wrote:: who is asking you to watch such illogical movies ??
I asked the same question in a post above above your post.!!!!!!!! Please read it.
@EV
EV wrote:: I love Amala…cant forget her Oka Brundavanam song…i watch it again and again…
Oka Brundavanam song was picturized on NIROSHA and not Amala.
@ Vinay Joshi
Joshi saab wrote: Also when Shiva forms a gang, how they earn also was unexplained. Pretty much similar to the way we wondered about Sarkar’s revenue
My answer is again the same great statement from Alfred Hitchcock ” When the drama starts, the logic ends”
Varma,
is there any reason to repeat the post…like just to check your readers psychology?
http://rgvarma.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!5187B91811914FB4!5146.entry
If you have written this post with the above reason…i will be happy that my thought process is working with all your gyan….
autojaani…right man..i keep confusing that with ninu korey varnam….;-)
Devi cinema hall I saw ‘Shiva’ and wanted to see it many times, skipped school, skipped exams preparations as that time of release of ‘Shiva’ we had preparation holidays for 10th exams.
Bought knuckle duster…never used it
use to buy full hand sleeves and roll back on biceps just like Nag use to do…
started our own gang… named one member of our gang as chinna…
started to share irani tea just like how characters do in the film
but today, after watching that epic film…I am more liking BHAVANI!
NO BHAVANI , NO SHIVA!
I remember, one of our contacts was producing the film for first time and he wanted Raghuvaran… in some Telugu film, I for the first time went to see a film shooting…saw him acting some song in college function…was scared to meet him…I told him how much I liked and hated him in film Shiva…he was very nice and told me to take his snap…i was scared but he told one of Asst. Director to take our snap…today that is the only picture I have kept for memories…I met Nag took pic but no…its Bhavani pic that I cherish…that man was born to be Bhavani…in real life, I found him to love life, he was not what he was in Shiva…he was a great man…when I first saw him in Shiva…I thought this is real Telugu film villain…his eyes were like Amitabh Bachchan in some of the scenes of Shiva…I watched Anjali film only for Bhavani and not for mani rathnam…
Because some scenes in Shiva are not what someone writes in screenplay…like how Raghuvaran gargles with liquor…or his internal anger before he tells Nanaji…or he hears bad news and he pushes a women …or his expression when Shiva comes on a rainy night….or even that fight on Swapnalok complex terrace… (use to stay at that time at kalisaguda and saw shoot from there)
Ramuji, my question is
How did you happen to know an actor like BHAVANI – Raghuvaran and how did you cast him?
How did you tell him his character sketch?
Ramuji,
One of the best aspect of your directorial approach is how you explain the characters your actors play in your movies!
Some day when you feel that this topic is relevant, why don’t you write about how you communicate to your actors about the role they enact. Because in many of your films, I find that your actors are different in their approach to their craft.
@ mrityunjay,
I like ur blog and site… its truly grt
@purna,
:-), I hope mriyunjay wld follow ur suggestion of making rgv caricature with girls and vodka…
Ramu,
guru is a guru and you are a guru. [sorry for being late to report. i was busy and never checked the site ]. I have no words to write and i am just looking at the pictures and having some nostalgia. I wonder how you could convince your financiers with this ‘teenage boy’ look. In film industry, there is a tendency that if you look very lean, they won’t listen to what you are talking. you have broken the rules. You can’t imagine how happy these pictures make me…..You look like a introvert, book bug college guy in ’shiva’ days. I can’t believe it is ‘this’ guy who became today’s smarty ramu .
Thanks and Regards…… Vaishak…….
hmmm…the comments are interesting than the article Ram…ok so hows everyone doing?….So do u all want me to write about Shiva and the aftermath now that most of people are sharing their feelings….by the way did anyone missed me?
@Ram: Did u miss me?
PS: Thanks!!!
Regards
Good person(who can be a dumb person depending on the Context)
okie..will write one but only when the SITUATION demands…..thanks
Ramu,
The old building where Bhavani was shown with his gang, was this building in Salarjung colony near tolichowki. Becos when i was going to school at that time..people use to say that it was shiva movie’s shooting.It went on for quite a few days.
Hi Mrutunjay…i like u r name…
Your site is great buddy…nice creative work there..so u work for Deccan ye…r u a freelancer??
ever tried to get hold of some animation projects?? looking at u r site it looks like..this is u r passion….just do it bro…keep it up!!! You know when you are creative u r more closer to existence…as Existence is all about creativity…and the more creative u r ..the more closer u r to existence..and the more closer u r to Existence..the more harmonious u r…and the more harmonious u r to existence.the more energetic u r… ..there is a free flow.of energy..without blocks like in a child..very fluid…..u feel light..literally..weightless….
Cheers
EV
Yes u look like a “baccha” in those pics Ram. Let me translate what u must have said in those pics…correct me if i am wrong
1st pic – Punch it here man in his belly so hard that the “juice” should leak….that hard i mean…get that?. The man” Yes sir”(hmmm let me do it ). He simply obeys what our Ram tells him
2nd pic – Look bro u should hit this guy like and doing…u know i want the REAL FEEL not madeup….hit him as hard as possible in his stomach, dont worry…i will tell this guy not to worry about ur punches….so hit him as hard as possible…if u cant, then just imagine that this guy has teased ur darling sister, so comeon unleash ur fury on him…i want the action to be real..get that?. The guy” Yes sir”. In his mind he must be thinking(this director varma is interesting…will make it big one day…let me hit this punch this guy with brute force like my director asked me to)
3rd pic – Look Nag, this is a very important scene. I am going to shoot this scene in a very unconventional way, u know not the way our typical movies are shot these days…i want u to tell the dialogue in a VERY MATURE WAY…u know….take as much time as u can to deliver the dialogue but it should look real and not like someone is ACTING…this scene comes at a very crucial time in the plot…u know the scene na…by the way did u read the dailogues of this scene?. Nag – “Hmm our decision to give Ram a chance is not wrong..this guys is something…got a VERY CLEAR perspective about how he is gonna shoot it and how his characters should behave etc….ok let me rehearse the dialogues first….Abhi get the dialogue paper and ……”
4th pic- Mr Gopal Reddy, i want this frame to be compact and dont u try to do it in ur way. I mean the movement should be smooth and slowly the camera should zoomin to the players….i want real action…the audience should feel as if they are watching the action unfold infront of their eyes….no fuc**** jerky movements….is that clear Mr Reddy?. Reddy – “Yes sir, got it!” whereas in his mind he is thinking(how dare this bachaa orders me to do his own way…i guess he is screwing the movie…anyways who cares, its not my money na, so let me do as he say…ok Ravi, kiran move the lights there and bring the stand…….blah blah..)
Regards
Good person(who can be a good translator depending on the CONTEXT)
I met a guy long time back who said he worked with you on the sets of Shiva as a spotboy. He was describing the scene where you had the two tea glasses in the canteen with Nagarjuna and Amala. He said you took many number of retakes for that shot (the shot involving a guy putting the tea glasses on the table) as there were some interruptions while doing it. For example, someone moving in the background; a bee coming in the frame etc.
The point is you were very finicky about the detail. One of your pictures reminded me of this incident. Did it really happen?
hey ramu, can you disclose who you think was your best assistant director…krishna vamsi? and who do you think matured into a great director who started with you…
Remain in wonder if you want the mysteries to open up for you. Mysteries never open up for those who go on questioning. Questioners sooner or later end up in a library. Questioners sooner or later end up with scriptures, because scriptures are full of answers. And answers are dangerous, they kill your wonder.
-Osho
I JUST CAME TO NOTICE IN A RECENT TELUGU NEWS PAPER…IN AN INTERVIEW MR GOPAL REDDY SAID ABT HIS MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS..IN HIS WORDS..”WE MADE SHIVA IN 60 DAYS TIME WITH NO COSTLY LOCATIONS,BIG BUDJET..ITS A LOW BUDJET FILM.. CAME OUT AS A HUGE HIT”…AFTER READING THIS..I JUST SURPRISED, TILL THAT TIME I FELT THAT SHIVA IS A BIG BUDJET FILM..SLOWLY I STARTED THINKING..WHY THIS LOW BUDJET FILM LOOKED TO ME LIKE BIG BUDJET.. DUE TO NAGARJUNA,ILAYARAJA OR ANNAPURNA STUDIOS BANNER..NO NOT THESE PEOPLE..ITS RAMGOPAL VERMA .WITH HIS BRILLIANT NARRATIVE SKILLS, UNCOVENTIONAL&NATURAL CHARACTERS SCREEN PRESENCE etc GAVE SHIVA A GRAND LOOK..THIS IS MY FEELING…….AND RAMU SIR WHATS UR OPINION ON ISSUE …AM I WRONG R..
I miss NaughtyPerson.
RGV,
I’ve always wondered why do foul words look so attractive when seen on screen. Can you tell me why so?
Like the first time I heard the word “chutiye” on screen was in satya, it really shook me. But during the same time around, my school friends would use it so profusely that most of the time I wouldn’t even notice. Why is it so ?
I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT UR PERSPECTIVE ON WATCHING FILMS IS COMPLETELY DIFFERENT FROM OTHERS..AND THIS DIFFERENCE IN VIEWING FILMS MADE U AS AN UNCONVENTIONAL FILMMAKER AND HELPED U WITH LOT OF SKILLS AND TECHNIQUES,WHICH WERE USEFUL FOR FILMMAKING…IF U PROMISE ME THAT U DONT LAUGH TO MY QUERRY I WILL ASK ONE QUEST….CAN U WRITING A PIECE OF NOTE ON HOW V HAVE TO WATCH THE FILMS TO LEARN FILMMAKING (BEING AN ASPIRING FILMMAKER IAM ASKING THIS……. )
‘When drama begins logic ends.’ suits exactly for cycle chain scene. And there is also a news that, when Shiva was running successfully ANR asked you to thank public for making it successful but you instead said public should thank me for give such a good movie. Is it true? But any we should thank you. Thanks
Why did Venkatesh had a “dull” expression in Kshana Kshanam for most of the movie?
Nice Pics…. It’s like a feast to me. Can you also post some pics of your other movie working stills.
Long time back I have read an article in SWATHI telugu magazine about your FACTORY. I am very much impressed about the description of FACTORY (I mean the interior). Is it possible you can share some pics of those for me please.
All the best for Agyaat Guruji
Hi Ramu,
I have seen in several interviews that you like Illayaraja a lot. And all of us know how Raja’s music helped Shiva also. Is there any particular reason you didn’t work with him often after that? (Especially keeping in mind Raja’s talent in giving mind blowing BGMs)
Thanks,
Sri
@Mritunjay
Thank you bhai. I will cherish RGV’s caricatures if you present them to me.
@Arun and @GoodPerson.
I guess our “NaughtyPerson” is back here in disguise as “Good Person”
A visit to TEMPLE
Recently I received a mail from my brother which read like this….
“Bhai….Today I went to a temple…..although I didnot see the God, I could feel his presence…..I saw some pictures related to our God…..If you are wondering which God or Which Temple I amtalking about, its our RAMGOPAL VARMA’s home….his home is my temple….I saw SHIVA posters hanging on the walls…the original SHIVA posters (hand with cycle chain etc)…..his house is in PUNJAGUTTA…
——————————————————————————————————————————————–
Just a week after that my brother met Ramu bhai when he was in Hyderabad recently last month.
——————————————————————————————————————————————–
If there is Democracy/Aristocracy…………then there is also “VarmocraZy”…..anything by varma/of varma/for varma/to varma/from varma/
Killing is not the solution. If we kill Bhavani, Durga becomes another Bhavani. If we kill him, one more person like that… The solution is changing the system that is producing this kind of people.
This is what Shiva says and at the end he kills Bhavani. Why is that ?
The other day I was watching ‘American Gangster’ in deaf mute. Many scenes are conceived in such a way that, if you watch it for the first-time in deaf-mute, you would think that the good guy is the bad guy and the bad guy is good guy.
what are the aesthetics of a film according to you?
which was the last hindi movie u saw?
do you watch ur own movies?if yes how many times have u seen aag?
what is ur reaction when u propose a girl and she rejects u?
which are ur fav movies apart from mackennas gold and exorcist?
Hi Ramu….
What actor should play you in a movie about your life….
Do you know cooking……. ;-)
Ramu, this entry of yours is really inspiring. Whenever I am down, I read this and feel happy and I see a hope somewhere nearby. Thanks a million for that.
http://rgvzoomin.com/2009/06/11/re-work/
Hi Ramu…
What is the worest gift you ever received..?
Haa ah.
it was really sweet of ur mom to send that to u.
I see that you had made a lot of horror movies (the intent being to scare the heck out of people).
I still wonder why have you not dared to appear in a scary scene in any of those movies.
PS: I thought of it after seeing your pictures (”Shiva”) that you posted.
Hi Ramu, How did u choose JD chakravarthi for his role in SHIVA?
CHERISH YOUR VISION;CHERISH YOUR IDEAS;CHERISH THE MUSIC THAT STIRS IN YOUR HEART;THE BEAUTY THAT FORMS IN YOUR MIND;THE LOVELINESS THAT DRAPES IN YOUR PUREST THOUGHTS;IF YOU REMAIN TRUE TO THEM, YOUR WORLD WILL ATLAST BE BUILT.
- Jewel Kilcher.
Ramu, I’ll direct a Film with a story of Film industry.I want you to play yourself(RGV) in the film.
will you?
thanq so much for ur compliments regarding my weblog..
caricature of RGV will be posted soon.
@EV
now iam with tv5..i’ve done previously my job in deccanchronicle.
http://www.mrithyunjaya.blogspot.com
http://www.mrithyunjaya.com
U r a great philosopher i have ever seen.. proud of you as a telugu guy … i learned more from you than from socrates.. Finally
A director is neccesarily have to be a philosopher…
why dont you post your comments on this subject… bye..
It needs a tremendous confidence and clarity to defy what your camera man suggested and to go ahead with steady cam and also to compose fights yourself belittling the fight master.A director has to command respect to get what he wants.How could you manage it with s.gopal redyy,maestro ilayaraja?Were there any moments that u showed your signs of brilliance?Did earlier association with S.GOPAL REDDY(customer of movie shop) helped,ah?
U still bask in the effect shiva has created.Dont you really enjoy audiences patronizing majority of your films if not all?How far is it justifiable to say “I dont make films for the aduinces.
who ever dont like my films,neednt watch my films and can stay away”..When u bask in and acknowledge their appreciation,why are u averse to they rejecting some of your films.NACH bombed at the box office.I reckon u said,” I tried to teach AYAN RAND to high school students (referring the audiences as high school students).
I reckon u have observed helluva film maker wannabes in this blog including me posting their opinions,their alleged passion about film making.Do u see any common mistake in our approach or thought process?I reckon asking suggestions to you in awe of your persona may be the one that all of us have?.Instead of every one going by what they think,how they percieve film making ,we often get carried away with your terms passion,”learning ropes in one day” with out actually knowing in what sense u make those statements.I always liked this advice of yours,”Dont ask any one an advice”.Thats true,unless we believe in and go ahead with what we think ,how can we see where we could end up.
@ ramu
see still i am asking your opinion in awe of your persona:)
Ramu,
I was in my 10th std when i saw SHIVA and all i enjoyed was “bottany class..” song.
But when i endedup watching “khana kshanam” for the 16 times in theatre, i was totally
a different person from film watching point of view.Saw it for the first day first show being a huge fan of sridevi. By the time i ended up watching it for the 16th time, i had became even more
big fan of urs then sridevi!! I still remember almost all scenes and dailogues.But i was really
amazed by it’s technical excellency from showing os Titles to end credits.Camera Angles,
Backgroud score(Dogs barking while showing the titles in the background).I believe kshana
kshanam songs and picturisation is far better than Rangeela in actuality.Bank robbery and
follow up chase is awesome.I know u dont like somebody praising u for kshanam,,, but i can’t
resist it. The most thrilling shot to me is… when venkatesh and sridevi run from Manzeera hotel,they comeout of the basement on the bike and a Maruthi800 car with high speed applies
brake and stops very near the camera Frame!!!! that’s outstanding.Later i was literally dying
to see “Raat” since i m a biggest fan of Horror films. I went to see RAATHRI to Madanapalli
from Bangalore which takes about 4 hour journey!!!! I became a HERO(!!!) amongst my filmbuff
friends for me only the one who has seen RAATHRI by then ! Later I went to Hindupur to see
ANTHAM. I was collecting any print material related to u. I still have The papers of your Interview
to “Shivaranjani”film magzine of different weeks. In that Interview you had claimed RAATHRI
as the film which gave most job satisfaction. I Grew up watching every film of u multiple times
irrespective of it’s critical or commercial success.I wish u to make a Brilliant Horror film in hollywood and beat manoj shyamalan ! I’ll surely Direct a movie and give Tribute to YOU.
@Autojaani: Hey bro i like ur posts…keep going pal…i think a person like u should in film industry…u will make a good one..trust me
@Sree venkat: I love u
@Arun D Khilnani: Thanks bro, how is bhabiji?
@Ruchi: No i dont hate u as much because u are my bhabi now…thanks
@raaghu:Even i want to make a movie and tribute it to Ram ..one day i will for sure when the SITUATION DEMANDS
@Ram: U didnt correct me on my translation…..if u remain silent for one more day, then i will “RE-TRANSLATE” ur pics and then hopefully u agree with me
@Everybody: Thanks…..
PS: YES i told u so many times, i come here for only one purpose…..and that is TO HAVE A BALL…….thanks
No i will not react to the reactions coz i happen to be a “good person” now but yes SOME OTHER DAY for sure….thanks
Regards
Good person(who can be a moody person at times depending on the COMMENTS)
Woowww….where is so much of silence here? Ok now that everyone is going ga ga over this movie, let me point of a technical glitch(if i may say so, considering the technicalities of camera angles).
When Shiva comes to the college on his first day, after the class, Malli introduces himself and they walk along while talking about college. Then they reach the canteen where the other members of the gang are present. In that scene when Shiva sits and Aasha comes with chai, she is introduced to Shiva by Malli. She then looks at Shiva and says “hi”. At this time both Shiva and Aasha are seated almost opposite to each other. So when she says “hi”, she looks to the LEFT SIDE of the frame(in the closeup), which means its a point of view shot(read the 5 C’s of cinematography incase u want to know about the types of camera angles and things related to shot making). So when our Shiva reciprocates to Aasha, he MUST look to the RIGHT SIDE of the frame(to be “technically” correct) but our dear Shiva looks to the LEFT SIDE of the frame(in the closeup) and says “hi.” So instead of looking to the right side of the frame, he looks to the left side and says “hi”, so i guess our Ram must be too busy during the shoot to overlook such a thing or may be at that time since he wasnt “experienced” he didnt knew or maybe Mr Reddy deliberately did it to screw up…… nevertheless the AUDIENCE doesnt CARE such things coz its the STORY that they connect to and not these technical things but still, jo galat hi wo galat hai….kyo Ram?
PS: Ram if i am wrong on this, i swear i will NEVER come again to this place….DARE to tell me i am wrong?
When audience of Shiva genration watch any telugu old movies they can easily identify if the move they are watching is made before Shiva or after Shiva (atleast i do).
–Kushee
hi u r looking so cute and doumb. how u manage control over unit at that time.
how this though mind of today fit in that chractor that time.
Hi everybody
Who is the editor for “SHIVA”?
Man, u looked like a nerd, not a filmmaker…
If u know that ur incapable of achieving something u seriously want to, which one do u go for? Be wise and leave it OR waste ur life (as others call it) trying to achieve it and failing repeatedly and taking pride in it?
Gopi,
I classify AP film history as before Shiva and after Shiva. What a trail.
While Shiva is chasing Bhavani on the stairs in the climax, Bhavani hides behind a turn and when Shiva arrives, punches him with the left hand and then tries to stab him. If i was Bhavani, i wouldnt punch the first time.
you looked duffer in photographs and hard to believe this man can direct Shiva. It strengthen my understanding “avoid being judgemental”
Discussing own old movies Satya, Shiva ……. on your blogs must be increasing sales of vcd/dvd prints of your movies. Is it a tactic to get more royalty? ;)
inko 20 years ayina… mee SHIVA ki fans peruguthare gaani thaggaremo!!!!
dentho chesaru a movie ni?? ippatiki aa freshness alage vundi!!!
hai varma if any body call u “IDIOT” what u will do them. because some boby call u at me . then i seriously shouted .why they are call u . i can’t understanding.
Inspiring Post Sir.. I want to know the story of ‘Kshana Kshanam’.. I requested for this some months ago.. Can u Post it?
Hey RGV,
Shiva is one favorite films. I became Nag’s ardent fan only after this. Believe it or not I was in my 1st grade when I saw the film. All I could remember was the Cycle chain scene. I was in Co-Ed school until 5th Grade and I pretty much remember that I used to threaten guys saying I would bring Shiva to fight for me. Even in my family gatherings, all my relatives used to pull my leg a lot on this. A cousin of mine fooled me for couple of years saying he was JD in the film because he slightly looked like JD. I used to treat him as a villain and asked my dad if he can ask Shiva to come and fight with him…getting nostalgic. Till date I have been Nag’s fan and Shiva movies really shares some good space in memories of mine.
Keep writing more
Jyostna
Hello Ramu,
I was never a fan of a specific director .. But I am a fan good movies, Mouna ragam, shiva, Kshanakshanam, Anand(Hindi), swathi kiranam, Anukokunda Oka roju,Tare Zameen par,
I think I saw more than 1000 movies till today…I can come with a handful of movies I feel like buying a DVD and watching it any number of times..
I think we should move on from horror movies, gangster movies, rangeela dance moves..Unknowingly you have become an ambassador for them..
For a man of your potential sticking to a specific type of movies does not make sense..To give u an example, If you think of director Ragavendar rao, one can only think of song setting with fruits..
If you read thru your post
“ If you see Shiva you will see mostly only stomach punches and hooks to the jaws and the reason for that is because I know only these two moves which I learnt in my days of boxing and dabbling in martial arts.”
This is you..
Point is please do not repeat your self ..
I hope you can think in those lines and make more movies which are sensible..
Karthik
I cant stop laughing :-)
time chalindi ……………..so u done it……….
Hi RGV,
IDi first time nenu blog lo post cheyyadam.
Nenu chiru veerabhimanini…………Naku meeru telugulo teesina first 4 cinemalu istam….
Nenu mee daggara pani cheyyalnukuntunnanu…
shiva..cinema gurinchi nenu observe chesindi….story wise.
antakumundu prati cinemalo…hero villans ki time cheppi half an hour okarini(villan ) champutadu..tanaku jarigina anyayaniki baduluga….
ee cinemalo…villain hero tanamata vinaledani….hero ki sambandinchina vallanu…prati 20 mins okasari champutadu..chivaraki..hero velli villan ni champutadu…
ila naku….routine ga teese vatini reverse chesi tiyyadam baga istham……..
This scene is crisp and clear in my memory as it was the day I saw it in venkatramana theater in hyderabad.
http://www.gabbarsingh.com/media/1167/Shiva_-_Cycle_Chain_Fight_Scene/
Hi… Well… I hurriedly started to write a comment and also registered to the blog to do that as I was new to this blog… And just before I could pen down something, I was startled the way people have written… I can call it a micro-analysis of “Shiva” and the events associated with it… This is a very futile effort from my side to comment about this post…
Being at a boarding school for sure deprives you of the happenings in the movie world and I was too much a kid to know that a movie called Shiva had released… But when I got to see it during my vacation, it was a memorable experience… I did not understand the efficiency of the camera, fights, or screenplay… The only thing that I carried home was a feeling of “hero” that was filled in my plasma… I call it that adrenaline rush… And tx 2 RGV 4 tht…
Ramu … he is the luckiest guy who met u in the flight. when i watched shive .. i was about 8 or 9 years old. I still remember two scenes from it .. 1. Cycle chain scene 2. “Chinna rod anduko” …I will definitely meet you and have cup of tea atleast once in my lifetime … sure i dont have that ideas or talent like you to meet “Ramoji”. You are the person who changed the telugu movie style of taking movies … Thanks for your great movies ….
Damn dude! You were just a kid back then! Well, I was 15 when I watched Shiva and it lead to a mishap with a cycle chain….not as practical a weapon as you made me believe. :P
I was in 10th standard, and we were preparing for SSC board exams, when the Shiva was on sets. We, used to watch the shooting in Keesara Gutta, when they shots some scenes on sudhakar and chinna. we were in residntial school then, my uncle visited me on those days, to check whether I am preparing for exams or not. He strucked with the shooting, at the end of the days, he said what a boring picture (he means shooting)