Satya Re-Release: Maker Ram Gopal Varma Cries In ‘Guilt’ Of Being ‘Drunk In Success’ 27 Years Ago

Celebrated filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma revisited his 1998 crime-drama Satya in an emotional re-release, 27 years after it first captivated audiences. At a special screening on January 17, Varma opened up about his complex feelings toward the movie that became a cornerstone of Indian cinema.

In a heartfelt tweet following the screening, Varma admitted to crying “out of guilt” and acknowledged being “drunk on his own success” during the peak of his career. He revealed how tears flowed uncontrollably as he reflected on the film’s creation and its enduring impact. “I didn’t care who saw me,” he confessed, emphasising the depth of his emotions.

The screening reunited the cast and crew, nearly 25 years after the film’s debut. As the lights came on, Varma noted the bewildered expressions of his team, prompting him to reflect on the legacy of Satya. Comparing the filmmaking process to parenthood, he described it as a passionate effort that produced something beautiful, even without fully grasping its magnitude at the time.

Varma’s emotional outpouring extended beyond the narrative of Satya. He admitted to crying “in joy for that version of myself,” acknowledging both his achievements and the personal and professional missteps that followed. The filmmaker expressed guilt over betraying the trust of those who believed in him and lamented the missed opportunities to uphold Satya as his creative benchmark.

A SATYA CONFESSION TO MYSELF
——Ram Gopal Varma

By the time SATYA was rolling to an end , while watching it 2 days back for 1st time after 27 yrs, I started choking with tears rolling down my cheeks and I dint care if anyone would see
The tears were not…

— Ram Gopal Varma (@RGVzoomin) January 20, 2025

Success, Varma admitted, brought with it arrogance that clouded his artistic vision. “I became drunk not on alcohol but on my own success and arrogance, though I didn’t realize this until two days ago,” he shared. The triumphs of Rangeela and Satya had, in his own words, blinded him, leading him to prioritize shock value, gimmicks, and flashy technical effects over the essence of storytelling.

The re-release of Satya serves as a reminder of its influence, not just on audiences but also on the man who brought it to life. For Varma, it was a poignant confrontation with his past—both a celebration of his creative heights and a sobering acknowledgment of the lessons learned along the way.