I made friends with loneliness: Varun Dhawan

After making a debut with Karan Johar's Student of the Year and later established as B-town's current chocolate boy, Varun Dhawan is all set to reinvent himself with Sriram Raghavan's Badlapur. In a heart to heart conversation with India-Forums, Varun Dhawan, speaks about his journey, the most important person in his life and much more.

Was it a conscious decision to come out of the 'chocolate boy' image with Badlapur?

Not at all! In fact, I signed Badlapur after Student of the Year but shot it last year only. I wanted to do a movie like 'Badlapur'. It is not just a revenge film but has different elements which are creepier and darker. It's a twisted entertainer.  

Weren't you skeptical of taking such a big risk at the beginning of your career?

I totally agree that it was a big risk but at the end of the day if you don't take a risk, you will end up doing the same thing. I don't believe in being part of the herd. If I want to do something new, then I have to take the risk. We underrate the youth or the audience of this country. And today's audience is ready for different films.

How did you get into the skin of the character?

The credit goes to my director Sriram Raghavan, who introduced me to the character step by step. I spend many days with him discussing the role, its look, body language, voice type, everything! I was not given a reference point to play 'Raghu' instead he just wanted me to emotionally connect with the person I was playing.

How difficult was it for you to connect with the role of Raghu?

It was very difficult to perform this role. I was put into solitary confinement. I stayed alone at Igatpuri for almost 25-30 days without internet, technology, TV, didn't talk to anyone! I made friends with the loneliness, sadness, depression that came with it, which was the part of the process of understanding Raghu.

Do you consider yourself to be a director's actor?

I go with director's vision but if I have some suggestions I definitely put them across.

What makes Badlapur stand apart from Sriram's earlier movies?

The sociological twists and turns, the boldness of the movie, you might not have seen in Indian cinema till now. Whether the audience will like this movie or not, I can't say, but they will be shocked for sure!!

In this journey, who is your friend, philosopher and guide?

From my parents, brother and friends, everyone played an important role in my journey so far, but one important person is Karan Johar. He is the reason I am here.

Do you have any insecurity?

I get really nervous thinking what will happen if one day audience stop watching my movies.

What are your line-ups for this year?

ABCD 2 will be released soon. After that I will start 'Dishoom' directed by my brother Rohit, which has John Abraham and Jacqueline Fernandes.

Gayatri Kolwankar