I CAN LAUGH AT MYSELF: VARUN
Proud of being a ‘massy’ actor, Dhawan’s endgame is to reach out to people across the country
Prashant Singh
It’s believed that an actor’s job becomes easier if they can identify with their onscreen characters. That’s exactly what happened with Varun Dhawan when he was offered Mauji’s part in Sharat Katariya’s next, Sui Dhaaga – Made In India. As Varun puts it: “In essence, it’s an underdog story and I could really relate with a lot of it because for a long time, people told me that I could only do one kind of cinema. But I have always tried to break the mould and prove them wrong.” We caught up with Varun as he opens up about his life, career, marriage, niece and more.
With Sui Dhaaga releasing today, what’s your state of mind — excited or nervous?
I think it’s a mix of both, and this happens every Friday (smiles). I believe that I do films for the ‘aam janta’. In that sense, Sui Dhaaga is a complete family film. I really wanted to do an Indian family movie, because I grew up watching a lot of ‘family films’ like Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994) and Piya Ka Ghar (1972), besides the ones made by Basu Chatterjee and Hrishikesh Mukherjee or even some of my dad’s (David Dhawan; director) movies. According to
me, Sui Dhaaga is a film that mirrors our country’s ethos and celebrates it.
Anushka Sharma told us that your character Mauji, is similar to the real you. Do you agree?
To be honest, Mauji has way more problems in his life than I do. But like him, if there is a problem in my life, I will be the first one to make fun of myself. That’s the way I live my life so that others don’t get the opportunity to joke about me. I can laugh at myself. So, I will always be the first one to find something funny or see the silver lining. Mauji also does that and he needs to adapt quickly to situations, because he is the backbone and strength of his family. One of the reasons I said yes to the film is because of the positive attitude my character has. Your last film, October, didn’t make a lot of money. Are you feeling any pressure due to that?
I am and I will always be proud of October. Honestly, the purpose of me doing that film has been served. Many people thought that I wouldn’t be able to do a film like October, but I did it. As for Sui Dhaaga, yes, I do expect that it will do well at the box office. Everyone expects that and I am not going to shy away from saying that. I am not stressed, but people do put some pressure on the ‘hero’ of a Hindi film. That will always be there but that’s partand-parcel of life.
Do you keep track of box office numbers?
Inadvertently, you will know about it in today’s day-andage. It’s plastered everywhere and even if you don’t want to know it, people keep putting it up [on social media]. Anyone who says they don’t know what numbers their films are doing, they are lying (smiles).
Have box office figures ever dictated your film choices?
No, till date, they haven’t. For me, a film has to work first. So it’s either a good film or a bad one. A good film will always work, and I think the reason why my films have done well is because they have been entertaining. You can’t just make a good film, it has to be entertaining too. That’s why I agreed to work in Sui Dhaaga, because Sharat has packed in a lot of humour and emotions.
Many feel that you are a ‘massy’ actor. How do you feel about that?
I love it. Yes, I am a massy actor who reaches out to people across the country. I don’t want to be a hero of only those sitting in high rises and bungalows. I want to be accepted by people across the country, and that’s my
endgame.
Your film, Sui Dhaaga – Made in India looks like a completely new world for you. Do you also feel so? It’s surely exciting, because I think, sometimes, when you are surrounded by talented actors, things get easier. And Sharat (Katariya; director) roped in a very good cast, including Anushka, who is also a very fine actor. Working around such artists was a great experience, as it gave me space to do my own thing. There’s also a lot of humour and emotion in the film besides an amazing portrayal of the relationship shared by a father and son. But yes, the film’s world is extremely new for me.
Your film clashes with the Asia Cup final cricket match between India and Bangladesh today. Are you worried about it?
These are the things that aren’t in anyone’s hands. But Gandhi Jayanti is also coming up (October 2), so that’s a holiday, and hopefully, we can make up for whatever effect the match will have on Friday’s collections. I remember Main Tera Hero (2014) also released on the day of a World Cup match. So, there is going to be some kind of effect. But above everything else, I am rooting for India to win. I just hope that India wins and Sui Dhaaga becomes a hit.
You went directly from doing Judwaa 2, a commercial potboiler, to October, a niche, contentdriven film. Do you enjoy the mental gymnastics involved in adapting to such large changes? As an actor, sometimes, I like jumping from a film like Judwaa 2 to October. It’s very exciting and challenging, because it’s almost like getting into another world. Sui Dhaaga, in that sense, is almost a mixture of ‘mass’ and ‘class’. Also, I really want people to remember my characters. You know, till date, people come and talk to me about Shinu from Main Tera Hero. So, I hope three or four years down the line, people remember Mauji. That would be my huge victory.
When you do a film like October after movies like Judwaa 2 or Badrinath Ki Dulhania, is it due to any pressure to prove how good an actor also you are?
See, for me, [box office] results matter the most. As for my proving my credentials vis-àvis the craft, initially, when I started with Student of the Year (2012), I did feel that I have a lot to prove, especially in the first two or three years. As an artist, I will always have something to prove, and there are always going to be haters and doubters. But the fact is that my films’ results have been good, and no one can question the results. There’s a reason why my films have reached a certain mark [vis-àvis box office figures], and that’s also stands as a big testament to all the directors I have worked with. They are all good film-makers and know how to make good films.
It has been six years since you entered the industry. Are you happy with your career graph?
I am never going to be happy and content. To be honest, for the past couple of years, I have been doing so much work that somewhere, there is a fear of getting burnt out. This happened to me around 201415, too, when I did three films in a year and hundred other things. Then, the next year, I did only one film, because I was too exhausted to give my 100% to any other thing. So, it’s important to recharge your batteries, and that’s where your family and close friends hold you and take care of you.
Prashant Singh
There are talks that you are set to work with your father David Dhawan again. Is it true?
Yes, there is something that we are planning to do. I am more than excited to work with him. He is an amazing director with one of the highest success rates. He is also geared up to begin working, and is in the scripting stage right now. When we are ready, there will be an announcement.
At this stage of your life and career, what makes you happiest?
My niece! I am the happiest when I am playing with her. So, she is the biggest thing that’s happening in my life right now (laughs). You know, I always run home whenever I get time [off from my work].