| Doll> When did your TV career flag off?
Varun Badola> I started out way back in 1996, but not as an actor. My first TV show was Naya Daur where I was the assistant director. As an actor my first major show was Banegi Apni Baat . After that I did Itihaas on DD. And from there I went on to do Balaji Telefilms Koshish Ek Asha . It made my career. Astitva happened later and it's on air currently.
Geeta> Is there a role on television that makes you go green with envy?
Varun Badola> Frankly, on TV, there isn't. But there were a few characters I would have liked to portray. However, till now, nothing on TV has tempted me to go that far.
Sheena> Please clarify why did you leave Des Main Nikala Hoga Chand (DNHC)? There are too many contradictions floating around.
Varun Badola> Maybe I wasn't making enough news (laugh). But jokes apart, that was the only thing they could have done to keep the story running. Otherwise, they were really running short of ideas.
Fan> What about your role in Astitva ? Is the character really going to die?
Varun Badola> No, not my character. Are you confusing me with somebody else?
Pop_star> What was your experience in DNHC?
Varun Badola> Good.
Rohit> Why have we not seen you in any more Balaji serials?
Varun Badola> I did one cameo in Kutumb It lasted for some 10 odd episodes. And I quite enjoyed that. It appeared towards the end of old Kutumb . It's just a matter of chance that I didn't work with Balaji's again. The opportunity did not arise.
Amit> Ever put your foot down about certain dialogues?
Varun Badola> Yes, I have. Being a writer myself I do have problems speaking lines that do not belong to my time (in a certain situation/drama). Had I been doing a period drama I would have definitely spoken lines that represent that period. But it's not such a big problem. These things get sorted out very quickly.
Rafat> Is it easy for a TV actor to make it in films?
Varun Badola> The theory that it isn't easy is turning out to be a myth now, as a lot of TV actors get roles in films now. They may not necessarily become Amitabh Bachchan or Hrithik Roshan but now all filmmakers are realising the importance of character actors in films. That was a legacy that we had lost out on for some years. Now, it has made a comeback and I am happy to see that (happening).
Sofia> Hello Varun, I am your fan from the very first serial Baat Ban Jayegi . I never miss any of your serial on any TV channels. In Koshish Ek ... and Astitva you were amazing. Which one (of the two) for you has been more difficult to act out?
Varun Badola> I guess both the characters had their own difficulties. Maybe this character in Koshish Ek ... was a little bit more difficult because you don't get to see mentally challenged people around you everyday. The chances are that it becomes very easy to convince the audiences about (my) acting prowess then. I played a lot to the gallery in Koshish Ek .. because I wanted to make that character really lovable. The character in Astitva is somebody you may see very often. So, it becomes difficult to perform convincingly and naturally.
Deepak> What are your strengths as an actor?
Varun Badola> You tell me.
Doll> You have done quite a lot of romantic scenes in DMNC. Were you comfortable with them?
Varun Badola> Yeah, very comfortable. That's because it was all about creating chemistry with your co-artist and I guess once that hurdle is crossed then it doesn't even remain a girl-boy thing. It becomes very normal.
Doll> Do you have any tiffs with Aruna Irani?
Varun Badola> None whatsoever.
Sumit> What's your favourite Hindi movie and who are your (favourite) actor/actress?
Varun Badola> Can't just name one favourite Hindi film, as there are quite a few. My favourite actor would be Sanjeev Kumar. And I like Mr Balraj Sahani a lot. Among actresses, it's Madhubala.
Ashwini> What do you think about Indian movies?
Varun Badola> They are mediocre. I guess they should be spending a lot more on the script and the story line rather than just on the faces.
Shiv> What are your forthcoming projects?
Varun Badola> None, as of now. Currently, I am writing a script for a film and another one for a friend of mine; composing music for my friend's film. And enjoying life to the hilt!
Rishi> Who's your favourite co-actor?
Varun Badola> Can't name one. I would like to name few. They are Uday Tikekar, Harsh Chaya, Irfan Khan.
Tini> You have been an assistant director and you also write. Any plans to do direct or write a soap?
Varun Badola> I am doing the dialogues of Astitva , right now. I am not doing for the complete serial but have written for about 3-4 episodes in a month. Direction is the next thing on my agenda. I'll start with a serial because I want to be very sure about film; wouldn't like to go wrong on that.
Sofia> Varun, suppose you got a chance to choose between doing a film and a TV serial at the same time, both with challenging roles in them, which one will you opt for, if you had only one choice.
Varun Badola> What I did earlier - pick up the serial, provided that the serial has something more/better to offer than the film.
Gita> TV shoots are supposed to be very grilling. How many hours do you shoot and how do you manage to find time to do anything else?
Varun Badola> I leave my house at 8:30 in the morning and return home by 11-11:30 at night. And when I feel the need to vent out then I shoot the whole day and go partying at night, something that I did last night.
Heena> You also compose music? Please tell us about it?
Varun Badola> I have composed for an untitled film. I am writing the script for it too. Signoff Message> Thanks for chatting with me- it was nice - bye! |
Book Talk
Shiv Shakti
