Rakta Charitra premiere amidst tight security

The little volatile town of Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh, home of gangster-turned-politician Paritala Ravi on whose violent life Ram Gopal Varma's Rakta Charitra is based, will resemble a fortress on October 21 when Vivek Oberoi, Ram Gopal Varma and the team of the film descends on the hostile town for the premiere.

The indefatigable Ramu calls it his do-or-die premiere. And rightly so since Varma received death threats for attempting to shoot Paritala Ravi's bio-pic in Anantapur. Finally, the film had to be shot elsewhere. But now Varma is not backing out. And his leading man Vivek Oberoi has decided to be equally brave.

Says Ramu, "This is my last attempt to make the local population in Anantapur understand that I wasn't out to sensationalize or demonize their local hero. They need to see and judge for themselves."

The director has invited prominent members of the local establishment including cops and civil servants to watch the film. But trouble is anticipated by the Rakta Charitra team. The producers have ordered a 3-cordon security for Varma, Vivek and the team. No Indian film team has ever attended a premiere under such an elaborate security bandobast.

Says Ramu, "If the locals decide to create trouble, there's zilch that the bandobast can do about it. I don't care what the risk, we're going to Anantapur with the film. If I've to go, I've to go. But I promise you, if something happens to me you'll be the first to know."