In the vibrant world of Indian cinema, fan devotion can reach legendary heights. We’ve heard tales of fans building temples for their idols or travelling miles for a glimpse of them. But rarely does a fan’s obsession become a celebrated backstory for one of Bollywood‘s most revolutionary filmmakers. This is the incredible story of a director whose adoration for the iconic Sridevi went far beyond the silver screen.
Long before he became known for his gritty gangster films and controversial statements, this filmmaker was an engineering student in Vijayawada, utterly captivated by the “Hawa Hawai” girl. His admiration wasn’t just a quiet crush; it was an all-consuming passion that led to acts that are now the stuff of film industry lore.
A Crime of Passion: Stealing Sridevi‘s Poster
The first chapter of his fandom began with a “crime” driven by pure adoration. After watching one of Sridevi’s blockbusters, he was so mesmerised by a large poster of her displayed at the theatre that he couldn’t leave it behind. In a scene worthy of a movie plot, he reportedly stole the life-sized poster and smuggled it back to his room. For him, this wasn’t theft; it was the rescue of a sacred idol.
The ‘Sridevi Room’: A Shrine in a Boys’ Hostel
His devotion reached its peak in the unlikeliest of places: a boys’ hostel. While his peers adorned their walls with sports heroes or rock bands, he transformed his space into a shrine. The room became famously known among his friends as the “Sridevi Room.”
Every available inch of the wall was plastered with her pictures, magazine cut-outs, and, of course, the stolen poster. It was a celluloid temple dedicated to the actress, a testament to an obsession so profound that it set him apart from every other movie lover.
Revealed: The Maverick Director is Ram Gopal Varma
So, who is this filmmaker whose youthful adoration for Sridevi bordered on the fanatical?
The director, whose intense and often controversial films like Satya, Company, and Sarkar have shaken Bollywood, is none other than Ram Gopal Varma.
The revelation is both shocking and perfectly fitting for the maverick director. RGV’s journey from a star-struck admirer to an iconoclastic filmmaker was fueled by this early, intense fascination. His deep understanding of a star’s on-screen power and cinematic appeal was arguably shaped in his very own “Sridevi Room.”
From Fanboy to Filmmaker: Directing His Idol
Ram Gopal Varma’s ultimate fan dream came true when he finally got the opportunity to direct Sridevi in the Telugu thrillers Kshana Kshanam (1991) and Govinda Govinda (1994). He has often confessed that his primary motive for making Kshana Kshanam was simply to capture her beauty on camera exactly as he had always envisioned it. The film remains a classic, celebrated for its unique direction and Sridevi‘s powerhouse performance.
Even years later, RGV’s admiration never faded. In his book “Guns and Thighs” and in numerous interviews, he has eloquently expressed his reverence for her, calling her a “celestial being.” His story is a powerful reminder that behind the most audacious creators often lies the simple heart of a true fan.
