VARUN DHAWAN OPENS UP ABOUT BEING A HERO OF THE MASSES AND NATASHA DALAL

At the teaser launch of Dharma Productions’ magnum opus Kalank, Varun Dhawan was the man of the moment. His sweeping entry, easy charm and on- point wit left all floored. Given his energy, it was difficult to believe he had dashed down to Mumbai after a 10- hour flight from London. But that’s how life is in the fast lanes for the most sought after star in showbiz. Riding high on an enviable 100 per cent success rate, Varun has floored both the masses and the classes. He can topline a 100- crore hit like Judwaa 2 and also woo critics with films like October and Sui Dhaaga: Made in India. After Abhishek Varman’s ensemble drama Kalank, the young star is set to burn the screen with his moves in Street Dancer 3D. He then switches gear to comedy with the remake of dad David Dhawan’s Coolie No. 1. Shashank Khaitan’s Ranbhoomi is another actioner, where he will flex both his muscles and mojo. In the midst of all this bustle, his romance with long- time girlfriend Natasha Dalal has assumed deeper hues. Though he shoots down rumours of a fast- approaching marriage, he confides he’s simply revelling in the ‘ vibe’ of love. Excerpts…

You’ve just launched a magnum opus of a trailer. Kalank seems to be your biggest film…

It’s a crazy feeling. It seems like a dream. I was asked to behave myself and not fool around too much during the trailer launch because the film is such. Abhishek ( Varman) has worked his ass off. This time, I’ve blindly surrendered to the director because he was way more obsessed with the film than I usually am.

You’re known to have a crazy passion to promote your films as well…

When I’m marketing a film, I like doing crowd events because that’s the time people can see me without paying for it. I’m not getting paid for it either. I’m ‘ live’ for them. Initially, I just wanted to act. Now I want to reach out to my audience. I enjoy the live connect.

Being the hero of the masses – is that your dream?

Yes. That’s been my aim since the start of my career. I do mass entertainers to please my audience. Having said that, I love my films Badlapur, October and Sui Dhaaga: Made In India. They taught me a lot. They helped me get in touch with things I feared I’d lose. When I was training with Barry John, I was only doing drama. But people have never seen me do an outright drama till now. Drama is one of my favourite genres. I just didn’t get the opportunity. Also, The way I looked in Student Of The Year

( 2012), nobody would have imagined I could do drama.

Changing gears from October to a drama like Kalank… does it involve a lot of unlearning?

Yeah a lot of unlearning. When you do a film like October, the unlearning is of another level. You surrender to that. I was comfortable doing Sui Dhaaga... It was my zone. It had humour, emotion and romance. So, I enjoyed that. But Kalank was difficult.

Why?

Physically, it took a lot out of me. I’ve never suffered injuries. But during Kalank, I had to endure a lot of them. There was a massive bull- fight scene. It was a seven- day shoot and Abhishek was strict about not having a body double. I’ve taken every blow, every fall, every roll in the mud... My back was cut, my shoulder was partially dislocated, my hamstring tore. I’m still nursing those injuries. Now that I’m doing Street Dancer 3D, my thumb ligament has torn. I’ve got a grade 2 tear on my hamstring, which first occurred on the set of Kalank. A torn hamstring doesn’t heal easily. You’ve got to give it rest. So, while shooting Kalank, I was exhausted. A bull weighs about 1010 kilos. It was not that I was overpowering it as it usually happens in films. Rather, I was being flung around.

Why did you not take a body double?

As far as technology like CGI and VFX is concerned, India is nowhere close to Hollywood. There it’s safe when they get a body double and have the face replaced. I’m not saying you can’t do it here. But it requires a huge budget. Abhishek wanted it to look authentic. He didn’t want it to look fake.

Was working with Madhuri Dixit in Kalank intimidating?

Not at all. My best scenes are with Madhuri Dixit. She’d take the scene notches higher with her prowess. ( Laughs) Abhishek would say, “Man she’s demolishing you.”

Alia Bhatt and you share unbelievable chemistry both on- screen and off. Agree?

There’s definitely some magic and we both know that. That’s the reason we keep coming back and working together. Otherwise, I can’t work with anyone so many times. We get along as people. Our passions are the same. We both are competitive with each other. As passionately as we care for each other, we fight also. But what’s great is that ours is an honest relationship. It’s not a fake one like, ‘ Okay, pack up. See you tomorrow.’ Or ‘ How am I looking? Oh very pretty’. Instead, with us it’s like if you’re not looking good, you’re not looking good and if you’re looking good, you’re looking good.

Her growth has been tremendous since Student Of The Year ( SOTY)…

From the first time when I saw her audition clip for SOTY, I knew it would be like that. People can say that he’s talking shit, he’s making this up and trying to act cool. But the day I saw her, I knew this girl would be big. Initially, Karan ( Johar) was hesitant. He asked us about her. I didn’t even need to think twice before saying how good she was.

Last year, Ayushmann Khurrana, Rajkummar Rao and Vicky Kaushal hit the big league with their films. Do you view them as competition?

You should ask Ayushmann whatI called and told him after both his films – AndhaDhun and Badhaai Ho. I told him, “Price badha le apna.” People need to appreciate the careers both Ayushmann and Rajkummar ( Rao) have traced. They’ve paid their dues. They’ve worked their asses off. They are here because of themselves. I don’t mean they not belonging to a film family. What I mean is that they’ve done the whole round and then reached here.

Are you fond of them?

I’m fond of them both. I’ve always been their fan. Even John Abraham. The industry had written him off. Look at his resurgence. He’s back in the reckoning in a big way. He’s given back to back hits. It’s not a joke. Another person I’m fond of is Kartik Aaryan. I know him since long, even before Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety released. I used to meet him at the gym. I visited Kartik’s hometown, Gwalior, for the shoot of Kalank. To imagine from where he came and where he’s reached today… hats off to him! His journey is so inspiring.

But as a star, do they make you feel insecure?

Itne brands mil rahe hain mujhe, itne awards mil rahe hain, meri filmein acchi chal rahi hai… By God’s grace, I sign two- three films signed before one releases. So, I can’t be like, ‘ Yeh film mujhe karni thi par ussne kar li.” But yes, the person whom I’m dying to work with is Rajkummar Hirani. I love the comic vibe in his films. But when I watched Sanju, I didn’t feel I should have done it. I’m 5 ft nine inches in height. So I couldn’t have played Sanjay Dutt. That would have been stupid. Ranbir’s ( Kapoor) performance is amazing though. But I’m clear about what I want to do as an actor.

Do you regret not doing AndhaDhun?

No, not at all. Ayushmann did a great job. He’s a musician in real- life too. So, half the work got done there. I’d have learnt the piano, but thoda kaamchori lagta. Sriram Raghavan had to make that film with Ayushmann. Sriram and I are supposed to do something else, which we will.

Did Ranbir Kapoor’s performance in Sanju and Ranveer Singh’s in Padmaavat inspire you?

Definitely. You get a kick out of watching these guys work so hard and push the envelope. But I’ll be honest without sounding arrogant. I believe each actor knows what he wants to do. I’ve always spoken about technology playing a big part in my films. Like the VFX andCGI that you’re going to see in Kalank is massive. We’re trying to make Street Dancer 3D the first 4DX release over here. That’s ground- breaking.

Is there any film you wish you should have done?

I loved Stree and its concept. I loved what Rajkummar Rao did in the climax because generally everyone thinks of him as a serious actor. I’m happy for him.

Apparently, you were offered 21 crores for Street Dancer 3D. How important is market value for you?

Actually, it’s more than that. The money is coming and it’s good. Though you don’t need that much money to live. Main kya karunga usska?

Was Katrina Kaif ’s exit from Street Dancer 3D disappointing?

You won’t believe it, she called me just today. Katrina is one of the best people in our industry. Since I’ve been on shoot in London, she’s been checking on me. She keeps sending me messages. She and I had a good talk when she called me to break the news. It didn’t work out because of the dates. It does not change my relation with her. Katrina and I know each other since so many years. I still want to work with her. She still wants to work with me. That’s important. But more important is the relation we share. The fact that she made the effort to call me to clear the reasons meant a lot. She left it on us. Her dates were opening later. But that would mean I’d end up sitting at home for four months. That was a lot for me because I haveto start my dad’s film ( David Dhawan). I can’t be happier that Shraddha ( Kapoor) is part of it. She’s a friend. It’s like coming home.

How much have you grown in the last seven years since SOTY?

I’m still a kid. I’m still naughty. I’m still playful. The first thing that comes to my mind in any situation is humour. That hasn’t changed. But I can be mature and sensitive too.

What’s the best thing your dad has told you after watching any of your films?

He loved Sui Dhaaga. He cried during it. Aditya Chopra, Virat Kohli and dad loved the film. Virat said, “Main apne kutte ka naam rakhunga Mauji. Kya kutta bana hai tu film mein.” That’s his joke with me. But in all seriousness, in a way I did Sui Dhaaga for my parents. Growing up as a kid, I had loved films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa.

Did October influence you with regards to relationships?

It moved me as far as relationships are concerned. It made me realise you never know what’s going to happen next.

The grapevine suggests that you’re getting married to Natasha Dalal this year.

It’s not going to happen this year. I’m not saying I won’t get married but it’s not this soon. If I’m doing all these movies, I need to find the right time for that.

Natasha’s often spotted with your parents. She seems to have become part of the family…

She and I went to school together. So, she knows my parents since ages. She’s been attending functions with my parents before also but it wasn’t photographed then.

What does she add to your life?

She’s my rock, she’s my anchor. She’s the stabilising factor in my life. It’s pretty much like family.

What kind of a boyfriend are you?

In the last couple of years, I’ve been really good. I’ve understood what it’s like to be in a relationship and the whole love vibe. I’m enjoying it. I’m having a great time.