'I have learnt that hard work never goes unnoticed' - Varun Khandelwal

Doing two television soaps at one time. Doesn't it get hectic?
Yes, it does get hectic but this is something that we all actors wish for…to be busy. You have work, and that's the greatest feeling.

You have taken two very different characters…
Yes, Sandeep in Jyoti is someone we can all relate to. He is the blue eyed boy of the house, spoilt to the hilt but doesn't let it go to his head. It was easy playing Sandeep, because I'm the only child in my house and I could see several shades of me in him. But of course to get into the skin of the character I took about ten weeks.
Ambika Bhavani is someone who I was not at all sure of playing. However, after giving the auditions they all said that I kind of fit the bill perfectly. Because they wanted someone to play it with the eyes. If you see the show, a three minute sequence of Ambika will have him talking for about a minute..the rest depends on his expression. This role taught me I can portray characters that are leagues beyond my own personality.

You learnt horse riding, just for Ambika's character.
Yes, but the funniest part is, I learnt it and was all set to go but then the production house people got me a jeep. They thought I won't be able to manage at all (laughs).

Did you know you'd be an actor someday?
No, I didn't. I didn't even make a conscious effort to get into acting. I had done my diploma in travel and tourism to get into the airlines industry. But as I was always active with theatre during my school days, my mom said why don't you try it in this field. I did and it eventually worked out in my favor.

Has it been easy or hard for you to come all the way till here?
It hasn't been easy. I have been down and low many times. It was my mom who once said, when you need to become a doctor you have to study for almost six years. It's only then that you get your degree. It's been only two years of struggle for you now. You still got four more years to go. If nothing happens by then, the choice is up to you. Thankfully, I got a break pretty soon after that. But my mom's words made a lot of sense to me. Especially because when you get something easily you don't value it. If you struggle for it, you'll cherish it.

You have your surname in common with Rajeev Khandelwal.
Oh don't ask me about it! Everywhere I go, I have had this question being put to me, that of I'm related to Rajeev Khandelwal. But I'm not. And I'm glad I made it on my own here. My uncle is a writer and my aunt has many old actresses as her friends. They never helped me because they expected me to work my way into the industry. I'm glad they had that confidence in me. When you do something on your own, it just feels so much better!

What have you learnt so far from the industry?
I have learnt that hard work never goes unnoticed.

What are your future plans when it comes to your career?
Well, I'm learning a lot of things right now. Being an actor is a never ending expression to your life.  I want to be recognized as an actor. Not a superstar. Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah they have created a space for themselves in the entire history of cinema. Then there's Bachchan sir. He never gets tired of surprising people. I look up to all these actors and I'm greatly inspired by them in my life.

When you were a debutant and now, is there a difference in the way your co-stars treat you?
I think I was lucky that even as a debutant in Kahani Ghar Ghar Ki, I was treated in the most nicest manner by my co-actors. They all were really sweet to me. Now also, in both of my shows, I have amazing rapport with all my co-stars. Now I realize how true my theatre teacher Rajesh Bali's statement is, who said – if you take up acting, you have to respect everybody, doesn't matter who or what that person is. Only, if you give respect will you earn respect.

How are you as a person?
Varun as a person is a little mature now. I have responsibilities. I'm more calm and settled these days. I love taking care of my retired father (Tarachand Khandelwal) and mother (Sonia). Kind of makes me feel proud that I finally have a chance to give them something back for all the love and care with which they've raised me. I don't like to go out much. I'm more of a dinner person. Me and my friends have our own IFF… International Film Festival where we bring out stashes of foreign films, with subtitles of course and watch them. I love watching TV and am a self confessed couch potato. I've been receiving a lot of complaints lately about this so I'm trying to improve my reading habits. Trying to read more than my beloved Archies and Chacha Choudhary comic books!

How much has education contributed to the kind of person that you are today?
A lot. I learnt most of the nuances of acting from my theatre classes in school, James Douglas Tytler Public School, in Delhi. I very proudly brag that Sonu Nigam is also from my school. But the point is I've had some wonderful theatre teachers shaping me up, grooming me for the days in store in this field for me. Rajesh Bali, Rita Grover (sister of actor Gulshan Grover) and Neelam Mam, all pass outs of National School of Drama, beautifully trained me. I don't know why I changed my track with Graduation from Delhi Open University and then the Diploma for Travel & Tourism but I've eventually found my way to where I belong!

Reporter and Author: Susan Jose