Research for 'Veerappan' took 15 years: Ram Gopal Varma

New Delhi: His next offering is a docudrama thriller on dreaded sandalwood smuggler Koose Muniswamy Veerappan and the ace filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma says he was so fascinated by the criminal that he researched about him for over a decade.

Titled as "Veerappan", the film is based on the man-hunt that was launched to capture or kill one of the most fugitive bandits of India, who killed many. 

"I love working on hard-hitting subject matters. Veerappan is a unique character as he killed many without the backing of any terrorist group just with his 303 rifle. Making a film on this man was there on my mind from a very long time. I did an extensive research of almost 15 years to make this film. I spoke to his wife and took the perspective of the cops, who managed to hunt him down," he told reporters in Delhi. 

Varma was here to launch the promotional song of the movie. "Veerappan" was released in Kannada version earlier this year and it has been now made in Hindi.

"We have not dubbed the film in Hindi. We have completely redone it," he added.

Theatre actor Sandeep Bharadwaj is playing the titular character and Varma feels he is apt for the role. "We have auditioned him and felt he is perfect for the role. People have complimented me saying that it seems the real Veerappan has come back."

When asked why he does not work with big stars, Varma said, "I never worked with big stars. My stories have a raw appeal to it, which the so-called stars don't like. Aamir (Khan) was not a star during 'Rangeela'. I don't miss working with them anymore because I don't look at my films as a stardom perspective."

The filmmaker's one of the earlier movies "Jungle" (2000), starring Fardeen Khan and Urmila Matondkar, also talked about the cruelty of a poaching gang.

"We should not compare 'Jungle' with 'Veerappan'. I never said the criminal in the film was inspired by Veerappan's character. Poaching gangs are there in most of the forests. The villain in 'Jungle' has nothing to do with this film," he said.

Produced by Sachiin Joshi, "Veerappan" releases on May 27.