Archive · 12 Nov 2025
Ram Gopal Varma Admits Copying 'Shiva' from Bruce Lee's 'Return of the Dragon'
Imagine a director named Ram Gopal Varma wanted to make a movie called 'Shiva'.
He recently said that he got the main idea for 'Shiva' from watching another movie called 'Return of the Dragon' made by a famous martial artist named Bruce Lee.
Ram Gopal Varma said he basically copied the story, only changing where it happened.
Bruce Lee's movie was set in a restaurant, but Ram Gopal Varma changed it to a college.
He even said he wrote his movie really fast after watching Bruce Lee's movie many times.
'Shiva' was a big hit and changed Indian movies.
Now, 'Shiva' is being shown in theaters again.
Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma revealed that his 1989 film 'Shiva' was heavily inspired by Bruce Lee's 'Return of the Dragon'.
Varma stated he copied the film, changing only the setting from a restaurant in Lee's movie to a college campus in 'Shiva'.
He claimed to have written the first draft of 'Shiva' in just 20 minutes after watching 'Return of the Dragon' multiple times.
'Shiva', starring Nagarjuna Akkineni, is noted for treating its protagonist as an ordinary person and its significant impact on Indian cinema.
The film 'Shiva' is set to be re-released in theaters on November 14.
- Who
- Filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma, Bruce Lee
- What
- Ram Gopal Varma revealed that his 1989 film 'Shiva' was heavily inspired by and essentially copied from Bruce Lee's 1972 film 'Return of the Dragon', with the primary change being the setting from a restaurant to a college campus.
- When
- Ram Gopal Varma revealed this recently, with 'Shiva' being released in 1989 and 'Return of the Dragon' in 1972. The re-release of 'Shiva' is scheduled for November 14.
- Where
- The revelation was made at a press meeting, and the films involve settings in a restaurant and a college campus.
- Why
- To acknowledge the inspiration and origins of his directorial debut film, 'Shiva', which is being re-released.
Ram Gopal Varma's Admission
Film's Independent Impact
Inspiration for 'Shiva'
Ram Gopal Varma's Admission
Ram Gopal Varma explicitly stated he copied 'Shiva' from Bruce Lee's 'Return of the Dragon', only changing the setting from a restaurant to a college.
Film's Independent Impact
While acknowledging inspiration, 'Shiva' is widely recognized for its impact on Indian cinema, treating its protagonist as an ordinary person and standing the test of time.
- Director of Shiva
- Ram Gopal Varma
- Shiva Star
- Nagarjuna Akkineni
- Original Film Inspiration
- Bruce Lee's 'Return of the Dragon'
- Original Film Setting
- Restaurant
- Shiva Setting
- College Campus
- Shiva Release Year
- 1989
- Return of the Dragon Release Year
- 1972
- Shiva Re-release Date
- November 14
Sources
Nagarjuna Meets SHIVA 4K Contest Winners Ahead of Re-release
Was Ranbir Kapoor More Excited About Animal While Shooting Brahmastra? Nagarjuna Reveals SHOCKING Conversation
Ram Gopal Varma On Child Actor's "Risky" Cycle Chase Scene In Nagarjuna Led-Shiva: "Apologies For A Traumatic Experience"
RGV Reveals Shiva's Secret and Blockbuster Inspiration
Did Ram Gopal Varma copy ‘Shiva’ from Bruce Lee’s ‘Return of the Dragon’? Here’s what he know
