Escapist cinema and slice-of-life films can coexist: Varun Dhawan

VARUN DHAWAN BELIEVES “escapist cinema” and slice-of-life films can coexist as now there are audiences for both.

The actor, who has struck a balance between both schools of cinema with the Dulhania franchise, Judwaa 2, October and most recently Sui Dhaaga: Made in India, says the larger-than-life type films were at their peak in the 1990s.

“I think the slice-of-life heartland films or the more common man films are always going to run. There was a phase probably in the ‘90s or maybe some other time, there was an escapist kind of cinema, which was doing very well.

“Escapist cinema is always going to do well. I think they can run parallell,” Varun said.

The actor, son of director-producer David Dhawan who ruled the ‘90s with potboilers such as Aankhen, Coolie no 1, Hero No 1 and Judwaa, among others, says the newer crop of filmmakers have a fresh vision.

“I think what’s changed is a lot of new directors are coming from different parts of the country.

“I’ve worked for Shashank Khaitan (Dulhania series), who is from Nasik. Our director Sharat (Katariya) and producer Maneesh (Sharma) are from Delhi. There are lots of people from Delhi, they are coming from the north and bringing their flavours to cinema.”

Also featuring Anushka Sharma, Raghubir Yadav and Yamini Das, Sui Dhaaga, a Yash Raj Films project, released on September 28. PTI