Just by looking at the title of the article one should be able to estimate the quantum of rise and fall of RGV. Filmy life of RGV reflects the story of "Balu" in "Saagara Sangamam". A talented individual who was about to become a legend, gets wasted due to some unavoidable circumstances. Only difference is that Balu reforms as a dance master and dies on a high note, while RGV is neither dying not leaving audience peacefully. Apologies to "Saagara sangamam" fans for defaming the classic by comparing it with RGV.
In the 90's and early 2000 RGV was a sensation. Pioneer of new age film making, breaking all the standard templates. Casting, dialogues, characters, backdrop, camera angles, background score, lighting, RGV made an impact on each and every craft of cinema. Audience as well as director aspirants used to go crazy about RGV during those days. There's a reason to it. He made modern day classics with simple and normal stories, just with his midas touch.
Remember the scene when Bhavani sees Shiva for the first time in Shiva movie. Nagarjuna carries a rowdy on his shoulder in rain and stands in front of Raghuvaran. Bharani slowly whispers in Rahuvaran's ears "Shiva ante eede", then maestro ilayaraja gives an riveting background score. Simple yet powerful. No thigh slapping, no punch dialogues. That's RGV style.
When Benarjee fumes anger for sitting idle even after Charan Raj is killed in Gaayam, Jagapathi Babu says "Nuvu normuy, chanipoindi maa annayya". That's the moment cool and casual durga prasad transformed to the dreadful Don durga. The scene where Durga gives complaint to commissioner with names of the suspects of his brother's, all of them gets killed by Durga's men at the same time. Terrific revenge. That's RGV taking.
In Kshana Kshanam, Seeing Paresh Rawal, his associate hides the cloak room ticket in the passport photo covers and runs inside photo studio and tries to escape from ventilator window. When Rawal's aides catches and brings him to Rawal, he asks "Ekkadiko velthunattunnav". Sridevi denies Venkatesh's help in getting out of the mud pit and tries to climb on her own, she ends up drowned in mid water with grass in hand. That's RGV humor.
Audience shout whenever Urmila matondkar is slowly moving in the house anticipating devil would be shown here and there in Bhoot (12 va anthasthu). But they couldn't trace a devil and are left waiting. After she drinks water from refrigerator and climbs the staircase in midnight, at the corner you find a small girl as devil, that's beats the hell out of you. That's RGV horror.
There are many such terrific episodes justifying his brilliance in movies like Antham, Satya, Company, Sarkar, Rakha Charitra, etc., During his golden period as a director, RGV used to talk less and his movies used to speak more. Now, it's just the opposite. RGV talks a lot and his movies are on mute.
May be due to the subjects he chose or the sensitive topics/characters he has taken up, RGV attracted lot of media attention and criticism. But he never backed off due to it, be it Govinda Govinda or Company. But now he is choosing subjects just to get media attention and criticism, but no actual content at all.
The downfall of RGV is so steep that, initially his loyal associates/techinicians started distancing from him, then noted actors, then production houses, now audience. I was such a huge fan of RGV that the only book I purchased and read in my entire life was Naa Ishtam. But now, I don't even remember the last RGV movie I saw in a theatre, even worst, the last RGV movie I was able to watch completely even on a TV.
Bhoot (2003) was the last good movie of RGV's prime period. There were very few good attempts here and there, but majority is trash. Naach, Madhyanam hatya, Aag, Contract, Rann, etc fall under this category.
From Appalaraju started the bullshit movies of RGV. Pure original scrap, nothing more. Dongala mutha, Not a love story, Department, Bhoot Returns, Satya 2, Rowdy, Ice Cream, Anukshanam, Ice Cream 2, 365 days, Veerappan, Attack, Vangaveeti, Sarkar 3, GST, Officer, Lakshmi's NTR, Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Redlu and more to come.
Promoting "Madhyanam hatya" with hoardings of "Meereppudina mi bhaarya ni champalanukunnara". Creating controversy by selecting " Bejawada Rowdylu" and challenging them on this subject. Taking a porn star and making God, Sex and Truth. Provocating NTR's family with "Lakshmi's NTR". Making spoof of all politicians and pleasing YS Jagan Moham Reddy fan base with "Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Redlu". Going to ismart shankar on a triple riding bike. These are few examples of RGV's thirst for publicity and Sensationalism.
He stooped to such a low level that he advised Sri Reddy to use cuss words about mother and criticize pawan kalyan just to garner more media attention. Even his loyal disciples turned directors didn't like this version of Ramu, that's the peaks he can go.
At one point of time, Telugu people felt proud of RGV as he is making an impact even in Bollywood. Now we are ashamed to tell outside world that he is one of us.
I pity the review writers who are the only few people in theaters for a RGV movie, as they have to go through the torture so that they can fulfill the duty of giving 0.5 or 1 star.
Picture abhi baaki hai, there is more rubbish the come from RGV.
The rise and fall gallery fallest of RGV.
