Ram Gopal Varma Reveals Why Mohan Babu Lost Shiva Role!

Like a matchstick that lit up a forest, Shiva changed the whole game for Telugu cinema. When it was released on October 5, 1989, no one expected much. Ram Gopal Varma was a newcomer, Akkineni Nagarjuna was still finding his space, and the film didn’t have any big promotions. But by the end of Day 1, people were already talking. The morning shows were half empty, but by the evening, theatres were jam-packed. That raw energy, Ilaiyaraaja’s beats, and the street fights made everyone sit up. Suddenly, it wasn’t just another movie, it felt real.

The movie didn’t just earn money, it gave Telugu films a new pulse. RGV’s rough, realistic direction and that grounded storytelling made Shiva a milestone. The film even got remade in Hindi the next year and became a hit again. Nagarjuna turned into a national face, and RGV became the bold new director everyone wanted to watch. Over the years, Shiva turned into a symbol, the movie that showed how grit could beat gloss.

Now, after 36 long years, Shiva is coming back in 4K on November 14. Ahead of the re-release, both Nagarjuna and RGV have been sharing some behind-the-scenes stories. One of them grabbed all the attention, apparently, Mohan Babu was first offered the role of Ganesh. But RGV said no. He felt the audience would see the actor, not the character. He wanted someone who looked like he actually lived that life. That’s when they went with Viswanath, and it clicked big time.

Funny how one casting choice can shape an entire film’s mood. That call gave Shiva its rawness. Fans are now waiting to relive it all, the chaos, the intensity, and that iconic background music. For many, it’s not just nostalgia; it’s like watching their own youth flash back on screen.