RGV questions Rajinikanth- Big B's acting prowess

Ram Gopal Varma’s Bold Take on Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan: Are They Too Big to Be Real?

Ram Gopal Varma has always been a filmmaker who speaks his mind, never shying away from controversial opinions. And this time, he has sparked a major debate by questioning whether the larger-than-life status of superstars like Rajinikanth and Amitabh Bachchan is actually holding them back as actors.

Can Rajinikanth Ditch the Slow-Motion Swagger?

Rajinikanth is more than just a superstar—he’s a phenomenon. The way he flips his sunglasses, delivers punchlines, and walks in slow motion has become his signature. But RGV challenges this very persona, asking whether Rajinikanth could ever shed these mannerisms and take on a raw, realistic character. Could fans accept him in a role where he isn't a superhuman force of nature? Or is his cinematic magic inseparable from his identity?

Amitabh Bachchan and the Reality Dilemma

RGV also stirred controversy by expressing his discomfort at seeing Amitabh Bachchan play characters struggling with everyday ailments. In his eyes, Bachchan is not just an actor but an icon—someone audiences look up to as a larger-than-life figure. Watching him grapple with mundane health issues, instead of fighting villains or delivering powerful monologues, feels unsettling to him. But does that mean actors should be restricted to playing only the roles fans expect them to?

The Burden of Stardom

One of the most intriguing parts of RGV’s statement is his belief that audiences prefer their favorite stars as “demigods” rather than as relatable, everyday characters. This raises an interesting question: Does stardom come with the burden of never being able to portray normalcy?

Take Hollywood for instance—stars like Meryl Streep and Leonardo DiCaprio freely transition between grand and intimate roles. But in Indian cinema, it’s almost as if superstars are trapped by their own legendary status. Are audiences really unwilling to see Rajinikanth or Amitabh Bachchan in stripped-down, ordinary roles? Or is it just a matter of breaking expectations?

RGV’s Own Regrets

While stirring this debate, RGV also admitted to feeling guilt over the failure of RGV Ki Aag, his remake of Sholay. He believes he let Amitabh Bachchan down with the film, which was critically panned and became one of Bollywood’s most infamous disasters. This rare moment of introspection from the director adds an emotional layer to his otherwise bold critique.

The Bigger Picture

RGV’s statements have certainly divided opinions. Some argue that actors should evolve and challenge themselves with different roles, while others believe that superstars like Rajinikanth and Bachchan exist in a separate cinematic universe where larger-than-life storytelling is what truly works.

So, what do you think? Should actors be allowed to reinvent themselves freely, or are some stars simply too big to be anything other than the legends they have become?