Ram Gopal Varma slams ‘proposal films’; says star power over storytelling is a recipe for disaster | Filmymeet

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma observes that the industry is now filled with “proposal films,” strategically cast with pan-India actors to appeal to a broader audience. RGV criticizes these films for prioritizing star power over storytelling, often catering more to the egos of the stars than the narrative itself.
In an interview with Galatta Plus, filmmaker RGV discussed why some multi-starrer pan-India films include stars from various regions.Producers believe this strategy makes financial sense. However, Varma pointed out that while the idea isn’t inherently flawed, history shows that such projects often fail.

The filmmaker described “proposal films” as projects where producers strategically cast actors from different regions to attract a wider audience. He explained that while this theory seems logical, historical evidence suggests it often fails. Varma cited Baahubali as an example, noting that despite not featuring major stars, its unique concept, visuals, and novelty made it a massive hit across various languages.

Varma criticized the approach of assembling “proposal films” by casting actors from different regions to attract a broader audience. He argued that focusing on creating a unique visual experience is more important, citing Rajamouli’s Baahubali as an example. Varma believes that prioritizing star egos over the story burdens the film, leading to the failure of many multi-starrer projects.

RGV noted that Baahubali, which initiated the pan-India trend, showed that a successful film could gross Rs 1000-2000 crore at the

box office. This success inspired many filmmakers to ambitiously create movies worth Rs 500 crore, believing they could achieve at least a quarter of Baahubali’s earnings.
The director explained that filmmakers believe they have a safety net because the market operates on the idea that hitting the right note can lead to huge success. He mentioned that every filmmaker thinks they are creating something better than previous films. While Rajamouli took a genuine leap of faith, others are merely imagining they can achieve the same success, which can become a trap.
The filmmaker discussed how stars like Aamir Khan balance big-budget films with smaller projects, managing costs based on their target audiences. He mentioned that Aamir Khan’s approach is perfect, as he understands the varying reach and effort required for each type of film. For instance, Aamir recognized that while a film like Ghajini might attract 100 viewers, a more niche film like Taare Zameen Par might appeal to only 20. He focuses on the cost, time, and effort required for each project, ensuring the quality of both films.