HYDERABAD/VIJAYAWADA: The citizens of Vijayawada are up in arms against film director Ram Gopal Varma after he announced that his next film would be based on gang violence in Vijayawada. Perhaps inspired by the cold-blooded murder of Telugu Desam Party leader Chalasani Venkateswara Rao alias Pandu in Hyderabad yesterday, Varma declared that his next film would be on Vijayawada gang wars and caste conflicts. He also announced the title of the film as ‘Bezawada Rowdeelu.’ Varma’s announcement has virtually stirred the the hornet’s nest. His decision has not been taken kindly by the leaders. Prominent personalities from Vijayawada charged Varma with tarnishing the image of the city, its culture and the people. More forthcoming was TDP city president Vallabhaneni Vamsi, who termed Varma as a mad cap. “He is mad and hence making all perverted films. He studied in Vijayawada. But yet he wants to make a film depicting Vijayawada and its people in bad light. Varma thinks he can make film on anything and can get away with it. What if some one makes a film on the disturbed personal life of Varma and his family? ” Vamsi said. Reacting sharply, Vijayawada mayor M V Ratnabindu said Vijayawada is an education hub. People from all over the state and neighbouring states come to the city to study. Rowdyism is limited to one or two persons or groups and it had no impact on the rest of the city. It was unfortunate that Varma planning such a film hurting the sentiments of the local people.
Former mayor Jandhayala Sankar said Vijayawada is a cultural capital and a peaceful city. A movie projecting Vijaywada as rowdy capital was nothing but defaming and misinterpreting the city, he said.
Dolphin Medical Services MD Dr GV Mohan Prasad said Ramgopal Varma’s idea was nothing but encashing the opportunity. Vijayawada Chamber of Commerce president Gaddam Subba Rao said that people would teach a lesson to Varma, if he produced such a film tarnishing the image of Vijayawda.