Happy Birthday Ram Gopal Varma: From Siva to Anaganaga Oka Roju, 5 films of the director that have a special place in our hearts

Ram Gopal Varma, who created many masterpieces, celebrates his 58th birthday on April 7. He hasn't slowed down making movies at all. He's working on a Hindi film Geher and has Enter The Girl Dragon up next. He's already racked up 50 feature films, most of which have had a significant impact on moviegoers everywhere. Apart from making it big in the showbiz, every aspiring actor would dream of working with the genius director Ram Gopal Varma. Even he is not in the limelight, working with this filmmaker was on the bucket list of every actor. He is one of the most successful filmmakers in the industry. He was popular for making all types of genres. On RGV's 58th birthday today, take a look at some of his legendary films that have a special place in our hearts!

The story of Siva revolves around the conflict between college student-turned-gangster Siva and Bhavani, a reputed crime boss mentored by the politician Machiraju. The film received critical acclaim for its technology and sound design. Siva featured Akkineni Nagarjuna in a stylish new avatar and hit the right notes with its unique plot. The RGV film made it to CNN-NEWS18's '100 greatest films of all time' list. The film featured Amala as the leading lady and marked the directorial debut of RGV. The film had a strong supporting cast that included Raghuvaran, Murali Mohan, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Gollapudi Maruthi Rao, Tanikella Bharani, Subhalekha Sudhakar and JD Chakravarthy. The film had also won three Nandi Awards, Best Director, Best First Film of a Director, and Best Dialogue Writer. Debutant filmmaker RGV's masterful direction and an exceptional performance by the lead cast make this classic a must-watch.

RGV introduced road movie and film-noir genres to the Indian screen with this film. The movie was critically acclaimed and received four state Nandi Awards, including Best Direction, Best Screenplay, and a Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Telugu. It was also was hailed by critics and audiences mainly for late legendary actress Sridevi's performance. Starring Venkatesh, Sridevi, Paresh Rawal, Rami Reddy, Brahmanandam and Narsing Yadav, Kshana Kshanam not only made for a gripping narration and a distinct cinematic style but boasted of some remarkable performances.

Two years later, RGV gave us another gem that was lauded by critics and audiences alike. The film also found resonance with the Telugu audiences, for its theme, which is based on the 1980s Vijayawada Gang Warfare. Jagapathi Babu's transformation from a cool guy to a gangster in an exhilarating performance was remarkable. The film follows a happy-go-lucky guy who wants to marry her girlfriend and settle down in life, decided to avenge his brother's death. The story was engaging, socially relevant and also well told. The film, in a way, filled the quality content vacuum, talked about the political scenario in society.

Akkineni Nagarjuna and Sridevi are two actors, on top of their game in Govinda Govinda. A taxi driver in Tirupathi with the help of his love lady rescues the robber of the Deity's Crown at the Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala. This supernatural thriller was one of the most talked-about films of 1993. The film was a game-changer in the industry with musical films and edgy storylines being bought on the big screen by RGV. Music directors Raj-Koti were applauded for the soundtrack that is still played to this day.

Starring well-known onscreen couple of Tollywood JD JD Chakravarthy and Urmila Matondkar, Anaganaga Oka Roju tells the story of a beautiful couple who decides to run away from homes after their parents rejected their love get entangled in a murder case. Also starring Raghuvaran, Urmila Matondkar, Brahmanandam, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Rami Reddy, and Narsing Yadav, the RGV directed-film has all the elements to make it a complete family entertainer.