Ironically, slipping into the role he appeared uncertain about helming for Shoojit Sircar's October, Dhawan finds himself being showered with praise for having "pulled off the best performance of his career". With critics and cinephiles reiterating what Sircar told him - Get ready for people to go crazy about you - Dhawan is still perplexed. "I wasn't sure of what I had done [differently]," he tells mid-day in a late-night chat, as he discusses the success of the small-budget romance drama, which he describes as a life-altering event.
When pitted against your contemporaries, you have the most impeccable box-office record. What makes October's success different?
Oh, this is an entirely different feeling. It's a high I have never known before. I have never had people call my film a masterpiece. Badlapur [Sriram Raghavan's 2015 crime drama] was special as well, but the way October has touched people is incredible . I am sorry for making everyone cry with this movie, but I have made them laugh a lot in the last nine films [smiles]. I like that this film had so much to say about hope. It describes aptly what life is - it goes on. There was no dramatising of events, which is the beauty of the story.
Varun Dhawan
Your films usually open to big numbers, but October wasn't expecting to see a mammoth day one collection anyway. What was your reaction to that opening figure of Rs 5 crore?
[Laughs] It was a little, humbling. I didn't promote this film as much as I do for my other movies. There was just one trailer and two songs that became the selling points. Shoojit da [Sircar, director] didn't want to give out any information. So, keeping these factors in mind, we had expected this figure. In fact, many people didn't even know that the film was releasing. If you ask me, the film really released on day two, when we saw a 65 per cent jump in collection. Also, I don't agree with suggestions that this film isn't for everybody. No matter who watches it, s/he will inevitably be moved on some level.
Actors usually refrain from speaking about their pay cheque. But we know you slashed your remuneration significantly for this movie...
Yes, it was necessary. . The audience that comes to watch Judwaa 2 (2017) couldn't be expected for this venture, so, the budget had to be lesser. The film has been made economically. Shoojit da knows how to make his movies cost-friendly. In terms of recoveries from external sources [digital, music and satellite rights], it is already [monetarily] safe. It has made as much as Dharma [Productions] did on Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania (2014). Also, more than money, an actor craves for creative satisfaction from his work. We made this film in 37 days, and could do so only because the director was clear about his requirements. We got involved in the filming process to such an extent that economics stopped mattering.
Everyone is unanimously upholding your performance as Dan as your best act till date. How did you avoid exaggerating this role?It must have been tough.
Shoojit da had told me, "Get ready for people to go crazy about you." He would keep saying it, but I wasn't sure of what I had done [differently]. I showed the film to Karan [Johar], Shashank [Khaitan] and my father [David Dhawan] two days before the special screenings. Karan was the first to tell me that October could be pitted against films from across the globe. Dad was spellbound by my performance. So, if I could surprise these three people, I knew I was able to achieve something. Actors don't really know that they have done something new until the world tells them so. After the release, people have told me that while they didn't like me before, they do now because of this act.
Were you worried about losing your audience base, which loves to watch you in peppy roles?
I had no apprehension. I needed this film. Getting branded a star can be intoxicating. It can make you arrogant or complacent. I was getting there too. Following Badlapur, each of my films has done well at the box office. Every role was significantly different from the previous one. But this was new. I am grateful that a character requiring such intensity came my way. It was a film driven by the subconscious mind. We spelt out absolutely nothing.
What has changed for you now?
. I am not saying I will only choose films of this nature from now on, but I will make choices that I can be proud of. October has helped me get my zing back. I am greedier to do good work.
Do you ever make choices to be taken seriously?
No. I have been fortunate to receive love from viewers. There's no actor who has delivered so many back-to-back hits. I am blessed that people love me as much as they do.
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