Ram Gopal Varma calls himself “rebel”; says, “I don’t follow morals or religion but I follow law”

Ram Gopal Varma opened up about his philosophical perspective, stating that he prioritises the law above morals and religion.

By Bollywood Hungama News Network -

February 20, 2024 - 2:04 PM IST

In a candid interview with Film Companion South, veteran filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) opened up about his unconventional stance on morality, religion, and freedom of expression. RGV's journey began with critical thinking, sparked by Ranganayakamma's Ramayana: The Poisonous Tree. He stated, "The book triggered that thinking. I think, in a way, because something as revered as Ramayana… was understood by her from a Marxist point of view was incredible. So I didn’t take the Marxism aspect.”

Ram Gopal Varma calls himself “rebel”; says, “I don’t follow morals or religion but I follow law”

The Satya director further explained, “But the fact that you could challenge (Ramayana), something that you think cannot be questioned… That was my first impact in terms of not taking things at face value, the way they were told to you by your parents or by your teachers or whoever it is.”

Despite his nonconformist views, RGV shed light on the importance of law and order. "I live like a rebel. What is a rebel? Rebel is nothing but going against what is accepted. But I’ll always follow only one thing. I’ll follow the law. I don’t follow morality. I don’t follow religion. I don’t follow… Because the law is necessary. Because if you have to live in a city, you need to follow certain things for the sake of that. And it’s a small price to pay for all the benefits you get from society. So in the four aspects, the only thing I follow is the law. The other three, I don’t."

RGV champions cinema as a platform for diverse perspectives, protected by freedom of expression. He questions the very purpose of free speech if it cannot offend or challenge existing norms. However, he acknowledges the complexity of defining moral boundaries, citing diverse cultural norms and their potential to restrict expression.

The 61-year-old director argues that moral codes are subjective and can stifle freedom. "We are living in a world where there will be some countries where the ankle of the foot can’t be exposed in public. At the same time, there could be another country where wearing bikinis is not a problem. Then who will determine which is right and which is not? You have to do it.”

Concluding his point, the renowned filmmaker asserted, “The only thing that can be done is by regulation. In that regulation, in my constitution, I am not given freedom of expression. So, some people might like it, some might not. But unless you give that freedom, there will never be a free flow of ideas.”

Also Read: Ram Gopal Varma DEFENDS Poonam Pandey’s death “Hoax” for Cervical Cancer awareness: “No one can question your intent”