I don’t think of the dead’: Ram Gopal Varma on remembering Sridevi on her birth anniversary

Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has said he “doesn’t think of dead people” while discussing late actor Sridevi, despite his long-standing public fascination with the actress and his recent contribution to her biography.

Varma, who directed Sridevi in films including Great Robbery, Govindhaa Govindhaa and Hairaan, contributed a chapter to Dhiraj U Kumar’s upcoming biography The Empress. The book was announced by Priyanka Chopra on Sridevi’s birth anniversary on August 13.

Asked by Variety India how he marked Sridevi’s birth anniversary and whether he revisited her films to remember her, Varma said he preferred to focus on his own life.

“No! I don’t think of dead people at all. Once they are gone, they are out of my life. I would rather focus on my own life than think of the dead,” he said.

Varma added that he was currently focused on shooting his next film, Police Company, starring Harshvardhan Rane.

RGV recalls first meeting with Sridevi

Despite his comments, Varma went on to recall his first meeting with Sridevi at her Chennai home.

He said he had visited her residence to sign her for a project and was sitting in the living room with her mother while Sridevi repeatedly moved in and out of the room as she prepared to catch a flight.

“Every time she came into the room, it was like a sudden rush of fresh, invigorating breeze,” Varma recalled.

He added that he wished she could return to Earth “just once” so that people could know she had truly existed.

RGV’s controversial comments about Sridevi

Varma’s fascination with Sridevi had previously sparked controversy following the publication of his 2015 memoir Guns and Thighs: The Story of My Life.

In a chapter dedicated to the actress, he wrote extensively about his obsession with her and criticised her marriage to producer Boney Kapoor.

Varma also defended his remarks on social media at the time, arguing that Sridevi’s stardom was shaped not only by her acting ability but also by her physical appeal.

His latest comments come as interest grows around The Empress, which seeks to chronicle Sridevi’s life and legacy through contributions from people who knew and worked with the legendary actor.