Filmmaker Varma zooms in on Dawood-Rajan war

Filmmaker Varma zooms in on Dawood-Rajan war
RAJEEV MASAND

MUMBAI, MARCH 1: Filmmaker Ramgopal Varma's Jungle had a strange post-reel twist. A few weeks after the movie -- loosely based on Veerappan -- was released, the bandit struck to kidnap Kannada hero Rajkumar. Now, Varma is approaching another real-life subject, closer home in Mumbai.

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The director-producer's next offering will be Company. The film, sources say, will explore the rivalry between two prominent underworld gangs. Since all underworld movies have gangwars, and since Varma already has to his credit a critically acclaimed success in Satya, this one has to be different.

So, this time, the story is about the feud between Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan -- which is still being played out in the streets of Mumbai.

Although Varma has officially announced that his next film will be Company, he has consciously avoided discussing the content. Varma, it is said, intends to keep the theme of the film under wraps, so as to avoid controversies and negative publicity. Some weeks ago, he did reveal, however, that he was keen to cast only newcomers in the film.

Varma has cast debutant Vivek Oberoi (son of veteran character actor Suresh Oberoi) in the role inspired by Chhota Rajan's character. Unable to find a good enough newcomer to play the Dawood-based character (despite intensive screen tests), Varma has signed up Ajay Devgan. Varma is expected to begin filming Company next week.

Although Vivek Oberoi was unavailable for comment, his father Suresh confirmed that Vivek has been signed for Company. Declining to reveal whether Vivek's role was based on Chhota Rajan, Oberoi Sr said his son'swas a pivotal part in the film. ``It is about organised crime, the mafia and the police. That's all I know,'' he said.

The Mumbai police had revealed last year that Varma himself had received underworld threats, and had even provided the filmmaker with protection. Incidentally, Varma's three films Satya, Mast and Jungle had been financed by Bharat Shah, who is now in police custody for his alleged involvement with the underworld.

Meanwhile, the Ramgopal Varma movie machine is running full steam. At the moment, Varma is involved in at least four films. Pyar Tune Kya Kiya, a Fatal Attraction-inspired thriller starring Fardeen Khan, Urmila Matondkar and Sonali Kulkarni will be released soon. The film is produced by him and directed by his former assistant Rajat Mukherjee.

Varma is also currently co-producing a comedy titled Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega starring Saif Ali Khan, Fardeen Khan, Aftab Shivdasani, Sonali Bendre and Twinkle Khanna, which is being directed by E. Nivas, another Varma protege. Varma has also announced a third film, Aankh Micholi which he will produce and which stars Nana Patekar, Saif Ali Khan and Urmila Matondkar.