For the past few days, maverick filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has been evading arrest by the Andhra Pradesh police in connection with allegations of posting abusive content on social media against Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu, his son Nara Lokesh, and Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan during the release of his film Vyuham before the last elections.
Addressing a press conference at his residence in Hyderabad, Varma stated that he was not afraid of being arrested.
“What will happen if I get arrested? Nothing. If I am arrested, I will go to jail, make friends with the inmates, and write four movie scripts,” he remarked.
Varma criticized the media for its overenthusiasm in reporting the cases filed against him in Andhra Pradesh.
“It is difficult to regulate social media. I have responded to the police using the legal options available to me,” he said.
He refuted claims that he was absconding, pointing out that media reports had suggested police were searching for him in Kerala and Coimbatore, while he was very much in Hyderabad, giving live interviews.
“Many are saying the police haven’t arrested me yet. If they do, I will go to jail and write four movie scripts,” he reiterated.
Varma highlighted the delayed reactions to his posts on his 'X' account (formerly Twitter).
“Over the years, I have made thousands of posts. A few people responded, claiming their sentiments were hurt, but that too, a year later. How is it that four or five people suddenly lodge complaints against me simultaneously after a year?” he questioned.
He noted that cases had been filed against him in various districts and that he had requested the court for exemption from personal appearances due to his commitments.
“Some media outlets, in collaboration with the police, came to my house to arrest me. Since I wasn’t there, some claimed I was on the run and even hiding under the bed,” he criticized.
Varma also addressed rumors of his arrest, pointing out that no police official had made any official statement.
“Certain people are deliberately creating fake news. Despite my saying I am in Hyderabad, the media label me as 'absconding.' They question why the police haven’t arrested Varma yet and even accuse the police of supporting the YSRCP despite a change in government. Some media outlets even speculated that Prakash Raj and Nagarjuna were hiding me. The media has become more like detectives than the police,” he said.
