Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma Avoids Inquiry with Andhra CID
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Synopsis
Controversial filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma failed to attend an inquiry at the Andhra Pradesh CID regarding a 2019 Telugu film. He sent a lawyer instead, citing promotional obligations. The CID plans to issue a new notice, stemming from a complaint by a TDP leader alleging the film hurt public sentiments.
Key Takeaways
- Ram Gopal Varma skipped questioning at the Andhra CID.
- Requested an eight-week extension for appearance.
- Case involves his 2019 film Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Reddlu.
- Complaint filed by Telugu Desam Party leader.
- RGV faces multiple investigations since TDP's return to power.
Amaravati, Feb 10 (NationPress) The well-known and often controversial filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma did not attend his scheduled questioning at the Andhra Pradesh Crime Investigation Department (CID) on Monday, related to a case about a Telugu film that premiered in 2019.
Instead of appearing personally, Varma delegated his lawyer to the CID office located in Guntur and requested an extension of eight weeks to present himself.
The filmmaker, affectionately referred to as RGV, mentioned to CID officials that his commitments to film promotions prevented him from attending.
The CID is anticipated to issue a new notice to the director on Tuesday.
Previously, the CID had summoned RGV to appear on February 10, in response to a complaint filed by a member of the Telugu Desam Party (TDP).
This inquiry pertains to the 2019 film ‘Kamma Rajyamlo Kadapa Reddlu’ (Kadapa Reddys under Kamma rule), which was directed by RGV and depicted actors portraying notable figures such as the then Chief Minister Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, Chandrababu Naidu, Nara Lokesh, and Pawan Kalyan.
A complaint was lodged with the CID on November 29, 2023, by Bandaru Vamsikrishna, the spokesperson for Telugu Yuvatha, the youth wing of TDP, who claimed that the film offended public sentiments. This complaint prompted the CID to initiate an investigation against Varma.
RGV has been under scrutiny for various cases since the TDP-led coalition government took office in June of the previous year. He is known to be a supporter of former Chief Minister and leader of the YSR Congress Party (YSRCP), Y. S. Jagan Mohan Reddy.
On February 7, RGV attended the Ongole Rural Police Station in Prakasam district for questioning regarding social media posts allegedly defaming Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, his son and minister Nara Lokesh, along with Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan.
During this session, the filmmaker was interrogated for nearly nine hours by Srikanth Babu, the Circle Inspector of Ongole Rural Police Station, and his team.
He was informed by the police that he might be called again for additional questioning in this matter.
In an amusing post on social media, the filmmaker expressed that he visited a police station for the first time in his life, stating, “I love Ongole and I love Ongole police even more,” alongside a selfie featuring himself with a glass of water.
On November 11, 2024, an FIR was filed against RGV at Ongole Police Station based on a complaint from Rama Lingam, a mandal-level secretary of the TDP.
The charges against him were serious, encompassing sections 336 (4) (electronic record forged to harm reputation), 353 (2) (spread of false information), 356 (2) (defamation), 61 (2) (criminal conspiracy), 196 (promoting enmity), 352 (intentional insult) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), as well as section 67 (publishing obscene material in electronic form) of the Information Technology Act.
