“Ram Gopal Varma Reflects on Mohanlal’s Performance in ‘Company’: A Lesson in Instinctive Acting”
Renowned filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma (RGV), known for his bold storytelling and unconventional filmmaking, recently opened up about his experience working with Mohanlal in the 2002 cult classic ‘Company’. In a candid interview with the YouTube channel Milestone Makers Max, RGV shared that he initially had concerns about Mohanlal’s portrayal of IPS Veerappalli Sreenivasan in the gangster drama.
A Surprising First Impression
Recalling his first interaction with the legendary actor, RGV revealed that he expected Mohanlal to delve into complex discussions about his character, as many method actors do. Instead, the only question the Drishyam star asked was, “How many days do you need me for?”—a response that left the director puzzled.
At first, RGV felt this reaction was underwhelming, but he later understood that Mohanlal’s brilliance lay in his instinctive acting style, which often surpasses meticulous preparation.
A Director’s Dilemma: When Preconceived Notions Meet Natural Talent
The Sarkar director admitted that during the shoot, he initially found Mohanlal’s performance to be different from what he had envisioned. The actor had to redo multiple takes—almost seven times—as RGV felt something was missing. However, after reviewing the footage, he had a revelation
The very first take was actually the best.
Explaining his change in perspective, RGV acknowledged that directors often walk onto a set with fixed ideas of how a scene should play out, making it difficult to immediately appreciate an actor’s unique interpretation. Mohanlal’s ability to naturally embody a character without over-rehearsing ultimately proved to be his greatest strength.
‘Company’ – A Landmark in Indian Gangster Cinema
Released in 2002, ‘Company’ remains one of the most acclaimed gangster films in Indian cinema, featuring an ensemble cast including Ajay Devgn, Vivek Oberoi, Manisha Koirala, and Seema Biswas. The film received widespread critical and commercial success, further cementing RGV’s legacy in crime cinema.
