Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], January 23: Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been sentenced to three months in jail in connection with a cheque bounce case linked to a seven-year-old dispute with a former employee over a sum of Rs 2.38 lakhs.
In a statement addressing the situation, Varma clarified, “Regarding the news involving me and Andheri court, this relates to a seven-year-old case about Rs 2.38 lakhs with an ex-employee. It’s not about the amount but about resisting exploitation and fabricated attempts. That’s all I can say as it’s still under legal proceedings.”
More details on the matter are expected to follow.
On the professional front, Varma recently announced his upcoming film Syndicate, describing it as his most ambitious and terrifying project to date. The film is set to explore the rise of a menacing criminal syndicate threatening India’s very existence.
According to Varma, while street gangs once posed a significant threat, today’s danger lies in a powerful syndicate that blends political forces, law enforcement, ultra-wealthy businessmen, and even military personnel. He emphasized that Syndicate is not a supernatural horror film, but rather a portrayal of the chilling potential of human beings.
Varma explained that the movie will delve into the cyclical nature of crime and terrorism, illustrating how criminal organizations evolve into deadlier forms. “Crime and terror never die; they keep coming back in more dangerous ways,” Varma said.
The filmmaker’s reflections on Syndicate echo his introspection on his past work, particularly Satya. Varma revealed that revisiting Satya after 27 years brought him to tears, as he realized how the success of films like Satya and Rangeela led him astray, causing him to lose his creative focus.
He admitted that the success of his early films led him to become “intoxicated” with his own fame, losing sight of the principles that initially fueled his creativity. “I cried in guilt for betraying those who trusted me because of Satya,” he shared. “I became drunk, not on alcohol, but on my own success and arrogance.”
This self-reflection has inspired him to create something as impactful as Satya, with Syndicate now serving as the product of that renewed commitment to his craft.