My parents as well as my brother still treat me like a kid: Varun Dhawan | Bollywood - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

My parents as well as my brother still treat me like a kid: Varun Dhawan

Hindustan Times | By, Mumbai
Apr 23, 2017 07:27 PM IST

Actor Varun Dhawan, who celebrates his birthday on Monday (April 24), says not knowing the “harsh realities of the world” is nice.

Varun Dhawan has had a rollicking career ever since his debut, Student of The Year (2012). And after a number of professional milestones over the past five years, the actor is set to hit another one on April 24, albeit a personal one: it’s his 30th birthday. The actor, who is shooting for Judwaa 2 with his father, director David Dhawan, in London, UK, says “it’s a boring life right now”. “I am on a set mode nowadays — eat, sleep, work out, shoot, and keep repeating the same ritual every day,” says the Badrinath Ki Dulhania (BKD) actor, as he talks about his career, birthdays, media attention, and more.

Varun Dhawan says it’s nice not knowing the “harsh realities” of the world.
Varun Dhawan says it’s nice not knowing the “harsh realities” of the world.

Has it dawned on you that you are going to turn 30?

Hindustan Times - your fastest source for breaking news! Read now.

I’m not feeling anything. People around me are making it into a very big deal, and telling me, ‘oh, you are 30 now, you are grown up’ and all of that. Honestly, I feel like I am still little (laughs). Maybe, it’s because my parents and my brother (Rohit Dhawan) still treat me like a kid. My friends still treat me the way they used to when I was in school. Karan (Johar) still laughs at me whenever I talk to him. So, he is exactly the same with me. I can project being this mature guy who is successful now, but fortunately, I am not that person. I still have a lot of growing up to do. I still enjoy the simple things that I have always enjoyed. I don’t want to… I’m scared of growing up.

Varun Dhawan’s last release, Badrinath Ki Dulhania made over Rs 100 crore at the box office.
Varun Dhawan’s last release, Badrinath Ki Dulhania made over Rs 100 crore at the box office.

Why?

Let me put is like this: it’s nice not knowing the harsh realities of the world.

What are your birthday plans?

There are none. My dad has planned an entire day of shooting for me. That’s what he has planned, so there are no days off. In the entire schedule of 40 days (in London), there are only two to three days off, so it’s a very hectic schedule, and I am shooting every day.

Varun Dhawan was directed by his father, David Dhawan in Main Tera Hero.
Varun Dhawan was directed by his father, David Dhawan in Main Tera Hero.

Like your other movies, BKD also hit the bullseye at the box office. It seems like you can read the pulse of the masses…

I am choosing films only to entertain people, but at the same time, if someone is putting their money into my films, I want that person to make money. Main kyu chahunga ki uska ghar baar bik jaye? (Why would I want them to be forced to sell their house?). When I was growing up, I heard horror stories about producers losing their houses overnight. No matter who the family is, hearing of them getting evicted is very sad. It’s horrible to hear that, ‘ek film nahi chali uski wajah se this happened to a family’ (A film wasn’t successful, so this happened to a family).

Have a day off today so came down for breakfast and was greeted by these munchkins #palat

A post shared by Varun Dhawan (@varundvn) on

Is it due to the fact that your father has been a part of the industry for many years now?

Maybe, yes. But these things had a very deep impact on me during my childhood. So when I became an actor, I was like, ‘If I do a film, let me make sure that the budget and the film is safe, and let me make sure that the person investing in it shouldn’t lose money and he should get back his money’. Why should anyone lose money? And even if they lose something, I should not be the reason why that happened.

Varun Dhawan got lots of appreciation for his performance in Badlapur.
Varun Dhawan got lots of appreciation for his performance in Badlapur.

Your performance in Badrinath Ki Dulhania (BKD) received a lot of appreciation. Were you expecting it?

I was keen to see how people in Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan will react to it because the film is set in those places. And I was a little skeptical about how people in cities such as Mumbai and Delhi will react to a subject like dowry in today’s day and age. It’s fascinating to see how everyone has embraced it and understood the message. They loved the characters and the pairing [of Alia Bhatt and him]. So, all of it came together well. Karan (Johar; producer) is happy and I think his twins have brought all of us a lot of luck (smiles).

Varun Dhawan is working on Judwaa 2 with his father, director David Dhawan. (HT Photo)
Varun Dhawan is working on Judwaa 2 with his father, director David Dhawan. (HT Photo)

After nearly five years in the industry, what’s of paramount importance for you — awards, money or appreciation?

Nothing but the audience. I had said this on day one. For me, the driving force is the audience, and the day that stops, I will stop doing films. The day a part of me stops feeling like putting a smile on someone else’s face or if I feel like I don’t want to entertain anymore, then I will pack up and leave. I love cinema and creating new things but essentially I am creating all this because I want people to see it. The joy is when, sab log saath mein dekhein and enjoy kerein (when everyone watches and enjoys my films together).

Enter work like this every morning. 💫#judwaa2 @kuldeepshashi

A post shared by Varun Dhawan (@varundvn) on

Do you ever feel pressurised due to people’s expectations?

There was a lot of chatter going on after BKD. But I kind of cut off for a bit. Before leaving for the London (UK) schedule of Judwaa 2, I cut myself off from everybody and everything so that I could only concentrate on my work. Eventually, as an actor, your primary job is to act well and do well in what you have been asked to do, and not hear what people are saying. Now, I don’t want to hear what people are expecting from me. I would rather concentrate on the work that I am doing.

Bonkers paradise with disco bosco #Unchihanbuilding #judwaa2

A post shared by Varun Dhawan (@varundvn) on

You have proved yourself in a variety of roles till now. Do you keep that in mind while signing new films?

I know I have to work hard and give it my all. I am not really thinking about all these things. Initially, I was forced to think that way because I need to change people’s perception, justify why you are here, and why they [the audience] should go watch your films. But now, I believe people want to be entertained when they go to the cinemas. They don’t care about anything else. Doing films for people is my only motto.

Varun Dhawan worked with his brother, director Rohit Dhawan in Dishoom.
Varun Dhawan worked with his brother, director Rohit Dhawan in Dishoom.

Has the constant focus on your personal life ever angered you?

Not really, unless there’s something written about my family. That irritates me. Otherwise, it doesn’t. Link-ups and all are part-and-parcel of our job. It was happening even before I became an actor. So, that’s okay. It doesn’t irritate or anger me.

Varun Dhawan started his career with Student of The Year in 2012.
Varun Dhawan started his career with Student of The Year in 2012.

For instance, it was written that you went for a vacation with Natasha Dalal (alleged girlfriend) to Bangkok…

I had gone to Bangkok to shoot for an ad. Now, what can I do about that [the stories]? Jisko jo likhna hai who likhega (People will write what they want to).

You will soon team up with Shoojit Sircar. Are you excited?

Yes, I am very excited. That’s something I am looking forward to. Kya pata kya hoga (who knows what will happen). But it’s exciting to know that I will work with him. He is an incredible film-maker, so it’s a big opportunity for me.

Oscars 2024: From Nominees to Red Carpet Glam! Get Exclusive Coverage on HT. Click Here

Get more updates from Bollywood, Hollywood, Music and Web Series along with Latest Entertainment News at Hindustan Times.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    author-default-90x90

    Prashant Singh is an Assistant Editor with HT Cafe. Besides bringing out the edition on a daily basis, he also extensively writes on Bollywood.

SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Tuesday, March 19, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On