“Pooja Bhalekar’s intensity in eyes and tough demeanor—I found my ‘Ladki’ avataar of Bruce Lee, “ reveals Ram Gopal Varma

It’s almost like coming back a full circle for prolific veteran eminent film-maker Ram Gopal Varma with his latest Indo-Chinese movie venture ‘Ladki-Girl Dragon’ . Which like ‘Rangeela’ (1995) is a romantic triangle but with the martial-arts icon-Bruce Lee angle, as RGV describes it - Chaitanya Padukone

Which has the tomboyish, yet beautiful dare-devil trained martial arts champion girl Pooja Bhalekar ( from Pune city) in the title-role. According to director Ram Gopal Verma, the film will create Indian cinematic history. “ That’s because ‘Ladki’ will be dubbed and sub-titled in Chinese and will have the largest release simultaneously in over 40000 screens in China itself, and will also release in hundreds of theatres pan-India,” informs Varma..

So confident is Varma, that he has already planned to make its sequel ‘Ladki-Pt-2 ‘ with the same glam-yet-tough actress Pooja Bhalekar. Says Varma, “It is my most ambitious film till date. I have always been a huge fan of Bruce Lee from my childhood days and was also into martial arts myself.

Also I am familiar with the amazing philosophy and the global cult-following of Bruce Lee. On July 15 is the day when I will realise my long-standing secret-dream and release the film across the world.

I even shot the film in China and have some Chinese actors in the movie,” discloses RGV who is aware that July 20th is the death anniversary of Bruce Lee..

The maverick filmmaker even took a big leap signing on a martial artiste unknown actress without any past-image, and trained her in acting.

Instead of the conventional system of casting a star-actor and then teaching them basic skills. Like it had happened with star-actress Priyanka Chopra who played Olympic medalist Mary Kom’s screen-role.

Did RGV take Pooja’s audition. Informs the director, “She gave a quick demo of her martial arts skills of ‘Jeet Kune Do’ style and flying kicks. Pooja struck me as an awesomely talented personality and also has the glamour-sensuous alluring elements to add to her wonderful repertoire of martial arts.

Certain scenes on the beach or seas-side cannot be done wearing by the heroine wearing track-pants. What is the harm if a heroine aesthetically showcases her well-toned body.

All the mach tough heroes like Tiger Shroff and John Abraham are being appreciated when they show their body. Why should there be ‘double standards’ . For me I go don’t always go to the beach to check the sea-waters but to enjoy the glimpses of bikini-clad girls who come there.

As far as Pooja is concerned, there was intensity of expression both in her eyes and also her tough demeanor and rugged body-language, which impressed me, “ says RGV who had instantly signed her for ‘Ladki’.

The exuberant Pooja is thrilled to be the one who is bringing to life on screen, RGV's pursuit to make a film which is a cross-fusion-blend between Enter The Dragon and Rangeela. Says Pooja, "’Ladki’ is a film about a relatable girl who has to choose between her real love ( played by handsome newcomer Parth Suri) and her relentless pursuit of her love for Bruce Lee .

I am glad that RGV sir chose me to make his dream of making a film on Bruce Lee ‘s philosophy with me playing a fan of Bruce Lee . There are bold skin-show bikini scenes and tough action scenes.. But RG-Sir ensured that my comfort-level was given priority.

All my action-stunt scenes in ‘Ladki’ are realistic and executed by me with no harness-support-wires and no body-duplicates,” says Pooja who is thrilled on being compared to ‘Rangeela’ girl Urmila Matondkar.

For whom she has very high regards. But Pooja prefers to have her own identity of a martial arts exponent, “Urmila-jee is an iconic top-level glamour actress and I can’t even think of matching myself with her,” .

Director Varma explains why his movie is titled ‘Ladki’ .  “It’s to convey, how people tend to react with shocked-disbelief when they hear that a single ‘ladki’ ( the weaker sex ?) has overpowered a male-gang of anti-social elements.