In spite of the security threat, Ram Gopal Varma is at this very moment moving around in Hyderabad unescorted. He is visiting his mother in the city. And won't stay away because of the threat.

He isn't being brave, just practical. "This is not the first time I'm under threat. It has happened to me on several occasions. When in the history of assassinations have security guards been able to save anyone? The one who is determined to kill you will do."

Supporters of an alleged outlaw Ubala Reddy who figures prominently in Rakta Charitra are not amused by the way they think their leader must have be portrayed in Varma's film.

But Ramu is more amused than frightened by these threats. "They've sent a long legal notice in which they express their misgivings about Ubala Reddy. But I want to know how they know how I've portrayed the character (played by Abhimanyu Singh) when they haven't seen a single frame?"

Ramu refuses to surrender to such arm-twisting tactics "They're welcome to do what they like. My film remains unchanged."

While Rakta Charitra is being released on October 22, the release date for the sequel which is ready, is not decided.

Says Ramu, "We decided on doing the sequel simultaneously to save costs. It doesn't matter how Rakta Charitra fares. We'll release the sequel. So far whoever has seen the film has loved it. The best compliment came from a rival actor who said he was sad about it, but this film would bring Vivek back into the reckoning."