/> Ram Gopal Varma who is in Bangkok to attend the premiere of Sarkar Raj is puzzled by reports back home that he refused to show the Sarkar sequel to the Thackerays.

"That's totally untrue. We had the first and so far only screening of the film on Sunday for those closely associated with Sarkar Raj. We'd have loved to have Bala Saheb come for the show. Unfortunately his health didn't permit him to make that visit for the film. We're now arranging a screening of Sarkar Raj in Bala Saheb's home."

The screening would be scheduled for any time after Ramu and the Bachchans return from IIFA and is expected to be attended by the director and members of the cast.

In the meanwhile some strange things are happening to Ramu's life. He is attending his first ever film awards ceremony at IIFA.

"It's true that I don't attend film awards. Never have, never will again. I'm here at Bangkok only for the premiere of my Sarkar Raj which will take place on Friday. After that I'm returning home.

Let me make it very clear that I'm not going to attend the awards part of the event at all. Actually, given a choice I wouldn't come. But my film is being premiered and it would look odd if I am not here."

What does he feel about the unexpected sleeper stunner Aamir that has crept out of nowhere to claim eyeballs on the same Friday as Sarkar Raj?

Says Ramu, "Quite honestly I haven't seen any of the promos of Aamir. If, as you say, it's similar in intention and mood then all I can say is, I wish the film all the luck. I don't know why so much expectation is being built around Sarkar Raj.

I've worked as hard on this film as I've on any other. And for your information I've spent twice as much money on the publicity of Aag than Sarkar Raj. No film runs for the hype or the stars. Sarkar Raj will sell on its own merit."