You can’t please everyone: Vardhan Puri
His debut film, Yeh Saali Aashiqui (2019) opened to mixed reviews last year, but Vardhan Puri, in particular, received plaudits for his convincing performance in a double role. However, the film did not earn the numbers that one would have expected.
“I actually wasn’t surprised or disappointed. Numbers are never in our hands. I always go in with a blank slate. I never had a figure in mind that the film will earn ₹50 crore or ₹100 crore. I just went in thinking it is my debut and I will give my 100%,” shares Vardhan, the grandson of late actor Amrish Puri. Even though the film may not have been a box office winner, the actor reveals that his producers did not lose any money.
“Luckily, what happened was, along with the theatrical, OTT and satellite rights also make up a large part of money coming in. The recovery was important for me because you’ve to secure your producer. I won’t say I am disappointed, but yes I’d have loved it had the numbers been phenomenal,” he shares.
Asked if he feels any kind of pressure now with his future projects, Vardhan, who recently won an award for his film, says, “We’re doing cinema to entertain as well as to give the audience something to take home.” Whatever the result may have been, Vardhan’s performance has been noticed and he’s already inked deals to star in three films — a love story, a comedy and a family drama, besides being in talks for an action masala film. “People from the industry have said some kind things about my performance. The offers that have come are because of my first film. It’ll always be special to me,” Vardhan concludes.