Ram Gopal Varma is one of India's most talked about filmmakers. The man who's been compared to M. Night Shyamalan and who's the creator of neo-classics like Satya, Rangeela, Sarkar, Company and Kaun, is now back with perhaps the first true sequel of Indian cinema in Sarkar Raj. In an exclusive interview, Mr. Varma talks how he envisions 'power', the Bachchans, his own place in Indian cinema history....and how IBOS asks stupid questions.

Q: You often refer to 'power' in a very abstract sense. What is your understanding of this word in very specific terms and how do the 'Sarkars' encapsulate your understanding of the term?

Power in the strictest sense of its meaning for me is to be able to do what exactly you want to do. In the context of Sarkar it is in the line “Mujhe jo sahi lagta hai main who karta hoon”.

Q: Based on the previews Sarkar Raj seems to have much greater masala elements as well as a strong apocalyptic sense. Can you expand on this?

On a scale and complexity it is much larger than Sarkar. Sarkar is a fairly simplistic story in terms of its content. Its only the way it’s has been made that it created an illusion that there is a great story there. On the other hand in the case of Sarkar Raj from the story to the character conflicts to the intrigue and intelligence value everything is much more complex. It’s a kind of a philosophical ideologue mixed with a tremendous drama and who ‘d’ done it plot.

Q: The potency of Sarkar and Sarkar Raj seems to derive to a great extent from the twinning of an onscreen and offscreen succession tale. Do you see Abhishek as Amitabh Bachchan's heir, both as actor and as box office force? To what extent can he match Amitabh's legacy when it's all said and done? What would you consider to be the most striking contrast between Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, whether in terms of their acting styles or their personas?

I for one cannot really understand the comparison between their off-screen and onscreen relationships, though many think so. Both of them are uniquely different individually and the fact that they are related is purely incidental. I don’t think, but I am sure that Abhishek in the years to come will far outgrow his Dad as an actor.

Q: How would you describe the changes in Abhishek Bachchan from the last time you started shooting Sarkar I with him in 2004?

The changes were not as much in Abhishek as they were in Amitji. Even while shooting ‘Naach’ I realized that he is a person of tremendous intelligence and an actor of high talent and he understands my filmmaking style. So while making Sarkar he could easily adapt and interact with me, whereas in Sarkar as Amitji was working for the first time with me he was a little perturbed with my style.

Q: If not Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, who would you cast as a good choice for Subhash and Shankar Nagre?

None.

Q: Aishwarya Rai looks deglamorized at times in some of the movie stills of Sarkar Raj. Why cast an Aishwarya Rai in your movie and then not use her in full glamour?

For me Aishwarya looks most beautiful when she does not have any makeup on. Having said that, I think the Bhansali’s of the world have done enough to showcase that side of her. I wanted to capture the strength, elegance and dignity of her persona.

Q: How would you describe the chemistry between her (Aishwarya) and Abhishek Bachchan in this film?

I don’t understand this ‘chemistry’ word.

Q: You have made some memorable films so far: Satya, Shiva, Sarkar I, Company, Rangeela, Kaun. 30 years from now, which of these films do you think will be most remembered?

For me… none! What do people will remember… you should ask them!

Q: Any comments on the new wave of hindi cinema with films like Maqbool, Omkara , Black Friday, No Smoking etc? Which contemporary directors impress you the most?

I haven’t seen any of those films. I believe there is no such thing as good or great directors. There are only well and greatly directed films.

Q: Finally, your last Sarkar broke the Bombay opening record at the box office. What are your expectations from this one?

I don’t like to answer stupid questions.