RGV says he never got threats from the underworld: They loved Satya, Company

Ram Gopal Varma recalled the underworld's impact on his iconic films, Satya and Company. He opened up on whether he received any threats from gangsters.

In Short

• Ram Gopal Varma opened up about his autobiography Guns & Thighs
• He spoke about initially dedicating the book to Dawood Ibrahim
• Varma said that he never received threatening calls from gangsters

Director Ram Gopal Varma opened up about his experience with the underworld during the 1990s. He said that despite making crime-thrillers like Satya (1998) and Company (2002), he did not receive any intimidating calls. Varma highlighted that the "gangsters" loved his films.

Varma recalled that his autobiography Guns & Thighs was initially dedicated to underworld figure Dawood Ibrahim, although publishers later removed the dedication. He also admitted that his experience was markedly different from others in the industry who received extortion demands from the underworld.

The director, in an interview with Filmfare, said, "I dedicated the book to Dawood Ibrahim also, but the publishers removed his name. If Dawood Ibrahim was not there, I would not have made Satya and Company, the two iconic films. How can I not dedicate it to him? I am earning my living because of him."

For Varma, the underworld was not only a looming threat but also a source of creative inspiration that shaped some of his most significant works.

"I was the only guy who never got threatening calls, the reason being they loved Satya and Company. They didn’t want to bother me. I kind of became their soul mate," he added.

Both films drew heavily from the realities of Mumbai’s underworld. Varma mentioned that this connection worked to his advantage rather than against him. The 1990s era of Hindi cinema was marked by the underworld’s pervasive presence, impacting many filmmakers and artists. Varma’s account offers a unique perspective on this complex relationship.

Varma announced his new film, Syndicate in January 2025. In his X post, he claimed that it would be 'the biggest film ever' and vowed that it would "wash away all my cinema sins."

The director has recently been active on social media, sharing his analysis regarding the success of Dhurandhar: The Revenge.

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