Ace filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma wrote an impactful, emotional, deeply personal piece about legendary pop star Michael Jackson on how the megastar impacted his creativity, imagination and worldview.
The director, who had just re-watched the upcoming biopic Michael (which triggered recollections of both the singer’s life and his untimely death), spoke of feelings in his eyes. The film made him revisit the heartbreaking moment when he received word of Michael Jackson’s death on June 25, 2009, Varma said.
In an emotional letter he posted on social media, the filmmaker described the news as a nightmare he had once imagined. “I hate Michael Jackson,” he said. Having just seen Michael and the film, I remembered the day, June 25th 2009. I was sleeping late with the TV on in my room.
When I woke up, I saw the news: ‘Michael Jackson’s dead.’ I thought it was a nightmare. Why would I want to dream about something bad? The image: Michael Jackson. The news was still on TV, and all the anchors spoke in sadness. Then it hit me that the impossible had taken place.”
The director said, “Michael Jackson was not just another celebrity for him. He described the King of Pop as ‘God’s creation,’ and admitted the singer was more than any mortal limitations. Varma said Jackson’s death had dashed the mythology that truly extraordinary people could escape some form of mortality.
RGV spoke, too, in his youth in college in Vijayawada, where he first experienced Michael Jackson’s magic. The iconic “Thriller” video was screened in a video parlour close to his old college building. Jackson’s impact on his imagination as a young man, he said, was huge, with music, mesmerising dance moves that could set you apart and an unmatched aura and style.
Michael Jackson is still one of the most important entertainers in the history of world pop culture. His music, performances and larger-than-life persona are still inspiring film, music, comedy, and other art forms, and many millions of fans around the world are turning to him just as they did after he died.
Varma’s impassioned tribute again intimates the way the grandeur of pop legend inspired so many from one generation to the next, and across industries.
