Varma highlighted the festival’s charm: dedicated audiences who engage deeply with cinema. ‘They study art, question creative choices—far from casual viewers,’ he noted. This draws global talents seeking genuine interaction.

Sarkar 4 promises transformation. ‘A new narrative, vastly expanded universe, crucial close-ups, and weighty subjects,’ Varma teased. Production scales up dramatically off-screen too.

Weighing in on censorship, he declared it obsolete. ‘Social media democratizes everything; no need for bans. People are savvy consumers of media.’ He remained neutral on Iran-Israel amid India’s position and dismissed gossip on Trisha-Vijay or Bhoot 2.

With Varma’s vision steering Sarkar 4 into uncharted territory, expectations soar for a franchise reboot that blends intensity with innovation, captivating audiences worldwide.