Ram Gopal Varma Apologizes to Chiranjeevi

A few years ago, filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma stirred controversy with his remarks about Megastar Chiranjeevi and his satirical jibes at Pawan Kalyan. However, it seems the maverick director has now turned a new page — distancing himself from political provocations and returning to his true passion: cinema.

Varma, who recently resumed his directorial ventures in Hindi cinema, is once again in the spotlight as his landmark debut film “Shiva” gears up for a 4K Dolby Atmos re-release. Widely regarded as a revolutionary milestone in Telugu film history, Shiva not only redefined filmmaking in the late 1980s but also marked a turning point in Nagarjuna Akkineni’s career.

Ahead of the film’s re-release, Chiranjeevi shared a heartfelt video message recalling the massive impact Shiva created upon its 1989 release. The Megastar lauded Nagarjuna’s powerful performance and credited Varma’s visionary direction for changing the face of Telugu cinema.

“I thought then that this young filmmaker would rule the industry,” Chiranjeevi said, reflecting on Varma’s early brilliance.

In a gracious gesture, Ram Gopal Varma responded with an apology, stating that any hurt caused to Chiranjeevi in the past was “unintentional.” He expressed deep gratitude for the Megastar’s generosity and acknowledged his goodwill.

With Shiva 4K set to hit theaters on November 14, 2025, fans are eagerly awaiting the chance to relive one of Indian cinema’s most influential films — now restored for a new generation.