Interview: My goal is to be like Akshay Kumar: Varun Dhawan
Varun Dhawan confesses that his worst nightmare is to see people yawning and sleeping while watching his films.
The actor reveals that he isn’t scared to experiment, but even his experimental films need to keep people engaged.
Ahead of Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Varun Dhawan in a conversation with us spoke about the film and much more.
Excerpts from the interview:
Is there pressure on you because Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania was a huge hit and people are expecting a lot from Badrinath Ki Dulhania?
Humpty Sharma was a hit because it had a lot of heart as lot of people connected with the purity of that love story. If Badrinath Ki Dulhania does well, it will be only because of the emotional connect with the two characters.
Do you think it becomes essential for a sequel to earn more than the first part to be termed as a true success irrespective of other factors?
If you are strictly talking trade, then a lot of factors have to be taken into account. The most important thing is the cost of production and cost of marketing as that helps you discover the recovery point. A lot of people talk box office today and we see so many advertisements claiming that the film has earned Rs 100 crore, Rs 200 crore but nobody is sure if it they are talking about the gross collection or net Collection’. Nowadays there are a lot of recovery modules as the producers get a certain amount from satellite, music and digital. Badri is safe film money wise but that’s not the only reason to make this film. The reason for this film to run should not be the star cast, but the film itself.
But don’t you think theatrical returns should be of prime importance and others should just be a source of ancillary income....
That’s the way we used to look at it in good old days. Theatrical returns should always be the most important source of revenue for the producers. But things have changed over the last few years. In good old days, we didn’t have piracy as widespread as today and that substantially affects the film business. We have taken steps to avoid piracy of this film and we might encrypt this film so as to stop piracy. Theatrical revenue is very important, but I think there are a lot other means of recovery as well.
Would you call Badrinath Ki Dulhania a typcial Dharma kind of love story?
Most love stories done by Dharma are very urban, and I feel after K3G, this is the first family love story that Dharma has made. This is a love story set in and Dharma hasn’t done such a film till date. Karan always fools around saying ‘Badri is Dharma’s Rajshri’. Most of the problems in the film are typical Indian problems which we face on regular basis.
Do you think Indian directors are moving away from heartland love stories?
I think that is what sets Badri apart from other films. Our director is from a small town and his way of seeing romance and love story is very different from the way an urban person would see it.
How important is the film's marketing for you?
Marketing is a part and parcel of film-making. If you are working hard to make a film, it is your job to work harder to get the film out in a right way. Marketing a film is evolving with each passing day. For this film, we have not been strategic in terms of marketing and it is all heart.
Bollywood has always been criticised for glorifying stalking and from the trailer, it seems that Badri too belongs to a similar space. What do you have to say about this?
Our film has nothing to do with stalking and aggressiveness. Actually in a larger context, there is a message that we are trying to give out via the film. I don’t mind if criticism comes through that right now as it is something that deserves to be criticised and I agree to the people talking about it. And somewhere our film has a take on stalking and there is an explanation about that in the film. I would not like to give out the story right now, but wait for the film. All I would like to say, what people are criticising right now is the same thing we are criticising in the film.
Do you think over a period of time, you have managed to connect with the Pan-India audience?
I don’t feel I have yet connected across the country because had that been the case, the box office of my film would have gone above a very high level. Actual connection with the audience means that everyone in the country is enjoying your film. There are so many examples of films enjoyed by Pan India audience like a Dangal, Sultan, Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Those films didn’t work because they had superstars, but because the content connected with the audiences. Even Akshay Kumar films for that matter, he is doing fantastic in my opinion. I have a long way to reach at position but that is my goal for sure.
What are your memories with Judwaa and did you meet Salman Khan for any inputs?
I just remember watching Judwaa in theatre and meeting Salman Khan for the first time then. The only advice Salman Khan has given me for Judwaa 2 is ‘Listen to your dad and don’t be over smart.’
The mannerisms of a Tapori have changed over the last few decades.... (cuts in)
It is sad that we don’t make films on Tapori’s anymore. There will be a big change in character of Raja and I would not like to speak much about the character right now. It is far different from what Salman did in the first film.
It is said that Salman Khan too has a double role in Judwaa 2, is that true?
I cannot say anything right now because I want people to be surprised by Salman Khan’s character in the film.
How excited are you for teaming up with Shoojit Sircar?
There is something that he has narrated to me which I really liked. I wanted to work with Shoojit Sircar ever since I watched Vicky Donor. I start shooting for the film after Judwaa 2 and it is a love story. It is not like Badlapur for sure, but this is something else. This is a Shoojit Sircar film and he is very good at whatever he does.
First published: 28 February 2017, 12:59 IST
