The Big Fight: Ram Gopal Varma-Anurag Kashyap - Round 1

Between Ram Gopal Varma and Anurag Kashyap and their infamous feuding, one of them decided to grow up. Or be the bigger person. Or show the other one that he was the bigger person. Or maybe, knowing the two of them, it’s all just a ploy behind what will soon be Bollywood’s biggest inter-camp rivalry assassination plot. Who knows.

In 2014, on Koffee with Karan, Kashyap famously paused in the rapid fire round to interrupt pal Karan Johar, whose question began: “Ram Gopal Varma is...” to say “Ram Gopal Varma was, not is...”. It was a consolidation of angst that the two pals had shared for years. Johar has been the butt of RGV's ire when the latter suggested he make Raavan as My Name is Raavan and then again when he suggested Student of the Year be remade as Teacher of the Year for a Disaster of the Year.

But Karan and RGV's relationship has been less tumultuous with RGV reaching out in support during the AIB roast gone wrong than the other one.

It’s been the loss of Anurag Kashyap, original script writer for Satya, and Ramu’s last known claim to fame, that’s rankled deep.

Kashyap was introduced to his now former mentor by Manoj Bajpayee. Kashyap, for whom working with the then at his peak Ramu was a huge break, has said he was in a state where he would "do anything for anyone". We still have not decoded where the "anything" drew its line. Given the penchant for violence the two men share, we suspect bodies were surely involved.

Anyhooo.. Kashyap went on to eagerly do anything he was asked to, soaked up RGV's shine like a crazy diamond and outshone himself in go-nuts-with-guns land.

He still credits Ramu with everything he has learned and Ramu still credits him with stealing his spotlight with everything he learned from him.

There’s a gun fight coming up in this somewhere.

Kashyap’s recent box office failure of mega budget mainstream big star didn’t-quite-make-it Bombay Velvet has only pushed Ramu over the edge with glee, much like an assassin wiping his blade over the brutally punctured body. While dancing. As a 300 member specially-hired philharmonic orchestra plays in the background.

Not only has he been pushing Mad Max, the rival film, to Bombay Velvet playing in the theatres, he’s started spouting philosophy. Like...

The bottom line is everyone makes an AAG and till he makes his own AAG he will bitch about others AAGS until he too burns in his own AAG

— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) May 15, 2015

... couched as concern no less...

Because I am 1st maker of AAG I think I have experience and right to lay them on a velvety cushion nd console the future AAGIANS

— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) May 15, 2015

We understand from this and others in this series that Ramu was hoping to start a club. AAAGIANS. Maybe he thought someone could drop by and see him.

Maybe share some whiskey. Maybe he thought he’d get his old bunch back and they could walk into the sunset wisened by failure. Alas...

Anyone who knows Ramu knows that when he starts getting philosophical, it’s time to find the exit.

Anurag, when asked.. okay goaded... about the wild cackling coming from next door, in Oshiwara serenely replied...  “He can say anything he wants about me. He gave birth to me in this industry.”

Pffft. Just as industrywallas had gathered their chairs and popcorn for the Big Fight too. Dhat teri ki. Go home everyone. Nothing to look at here.

Don’t look now but one of them looks like they just grew up. Here’s looking at you Ramu. Next is what?