In a super exclusive and rather candid interview with us, Varun Dhawan reveals stuff like never before. Here’s an excerpt…
You’re touted as the Salman Khan of today’s generation. Does it flatter you?
Honestly, I don’t dwell on it. In fact, this perception came into being when I started off my career. Whatever said, I still have to work hard, I still have to put in efforts. People can say a lot of things but deep down inside you know what’s true and what’s not. You should not lose focus.
How would you like your fans to perceive you?
With love, knowing that this boy is versatile and that he evokes emotions in us. They should want to watch a Varun Dhawan film knowing I would entertain them… whether it’s a thriller, a love story or an action film. They should look at me as a quality entertainer with high standards. I want to play characters that people can relate to and are memorable. Characters played by Amitabh Bachchan sir, Shah Rukh sir, Salman sir… are still remembered. After watching their films, you take that guy home. I’m definitely not there yet. But I won’t lie. I do want to get there for sure.
Do you agree that being a superstar is a difficult ballgame?
I’m not a superstar as yet.
You’re on your way there…I really hope so. Yes, it’s a difficult ballgame. Your personal life takes a beating. In the last two years, so many of my friends got married but I wasn’t able to attend their weddings. Tonight, is a close friend’s sangeet but I won’t be able to make it. I miss these things. But once I’m in front of the camera, it’s bliss. There’s nothing better.
The three Khans – Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman – have dominated the industry for over two decades. What do you think makes them so special? Their hard work. Also, all three of them are naturally talented. They’re gifted with the way they look. And they work so hard to look the way they do. All three of them have a superior understanding of cinema. They judge their scripts well. They know which ones to do which not to do. They’re also evolving along with the audience taste. They are moving with the times.
Is it tough to etch a place amongst them?
It’s tough! Probably when they came in, they must’ve thought the same thing seeing Amitabh Bachchan and other stars.
What is that one thing you keep reminding yourself about?
That I’m still the boy who would catch an auto every morning to school. And sometimes travel in the school bus back home along with friends of different communities. For instance Neerav was a Gujarati; Prateik a Marwari, Shaili, a girl, was a Maharashtrian. It didn’t matter what sect we belonged to. We’d laugh at the same jokes, we got scared of the same things, and probably we had a crush on the same girl. We went through universal emotions. So, no one’s big or small. We’re equal be it me, the vanity van driver, the dancers or you.
What are your insecurities?
There are many. How am I looking? Am I a loved actor? Am I growing? Am I doing enough to please my parents? Am I doing enough to please my fans? Am I doing enough to please people around me? That’s the human mind. We keep thinking. But somewhere in my heart I know I’ve hit a relationship with the audience now.
Social media must give you a good idea regarding what the audience thinks of you.
I do get an idea. There’s immense love on social media but that’s something I don’t want to buy into.
You’re touted as the Salman Khan of today’s generation. Does it flatter you?
Honestly, I don’t dwell on it. In fact, this perception came into being when I started off my career. Whatever said, I still have to work hard, I still have to put in efforts. People can say a lot of things but deep down inside you know what’s true and what’s not. You should not lose focus.
How would you like your fans to perceive you?
With love, knowing that this boy is versatile and that he evokes emotions in us. They should want to watch a Varun Dhawan film knowing I would entertain them… whether it’s a thriller, a love story or an action film. They should look at me as a quality entertainer with high standards. I want to play characters that people can relate to and are memorable. Characters played by Amitabh Bachchan sir, Shah Rukh sir, Salman sir… are still remembered. After watching their films, you take that guy home. I’m definitely not there yet. But I won’t lie. I do want to get there for sure.
Do you agree that being a superstar is a difficult ballgame?
I’m not a superstar as yet.
You’re on your way there…I really hope so. Yes, it’s a difficult ballgame. Your personal life takes a beating. In the last two years, so many of my friends got married but I wasn’t able to attend their weddings. Tonight, is a close friend’s sangeet but I won’t be able to make it. I miss these things. But once I’m in front of the camera, it’s bliss. There’s nothing better.
The three Khans – Shah Rukh, Aamir, Salman – have dominated the industry for over two decades. What do you think makes them so special? Their hard work. Also, all three of them are naturally talented. They’re gifted with the way they look. And they work so hard to look the way they do. All three of them have a superior understanding of cinema. They judge their scripts well. They know which ones to do which not to do. They’re also evolving along with the audience taste. They are moving with the times.
Is it tough to etch a place amongst them?
It’s tough! Probably when they came in, they must’ve thought the same thing seeing Amitabh Bachchan and other stars.
What is that one thing you keep reminding yourself about?
That I’m still the boy who would catch an auto every morning to school. And sometimes travel in the school bus back home along with friends of different communities. For instance Neerav was a Gujarati; Prateik a Marwari, Shaili, a girl, was a Maharashtrian. It didn’t matter what sect we belonged to. We’d laugh at the same jokes, we got scared of the same things, and probably we had a crush on the same girl. We went through universal emotions. So, no one’s big or small. We’re equal be it me, the vanity van driver, the dancers or you.
What are your insecurities?
There are many. How am I looking? Am I a loved actor? Am I growing? Am I doing enough to please my parents? Am I doing enough to please my fans? Am I doing enough to please people around me? That’s the human mind. We keep thinking. But somewhere in my heart I know I’ve hit a relationship with the audience now.
Social media must give you a good idea regarding what the audience thinks of you.
I do get an idea. There’s immense love on social media but that’s something I don’t want to buy into.
