Varun Dhawan says he has to always show people ‘new facets’ as an actor; adds he is excited to return to the dance genre with his new film
Prashant Singh (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 24, 2019)

Among other things, one aspect that has grown to become Varun Dhawan’s hallmark is his vivacious and energetic attitude. Now, as the actor readies for the release of his new dance-based film, Street Dancer 3D, his “electrifying” energy is all the more palpable. “I enjoy this space [dance genre] as I feel I am doing something new. No one else is doing anything in this genre right now,” says Varun, whose sole release, Kalank this year failed to do well at the box office. Excerpts from an interview:

This is your second dance film after ABCD 2 (2015). You must have felt quite at home?
I remember I was very excited to do a dance film when I worked in ABCD 2. But uske baad kisi ne bhi iss genre ko aage nahi badhaya. As for me, I was always clear that if I do another dance film, and come back to this genre, it must be with Remo [D’souza; director] and this team. That’s exactly what has happened. We’re taking the genre of dance films ahead along with a big message. It all started with a documentary which has a big connection with Punjab, India and the UK. There’s an important lesson that has been weaved in through dance because we use dance to express in this film.

What about dancing? Did you enjoy it more this time?
This time around, dancing was tough. I don’t exactly know why it was so tough. But I guess it’s because Remo was clear that he doesn’t want to do the same kind of dance that we did in ABCD 2. As a result, I have done a lot of jhamas, which is a kind of stunt-based dance — be it me being thrown from one place to another, doing somersaults or back somersaults. For the same, I had my trainer — who is a gymnast — all the time with me. I tore my hamstring and I had a shoulder injury, too. So, I was quite beaten up during the shoot. And it wasn’t just me. Even Shraddha [Kapoor] was injured badly and Nora had a neck injury, too. Ek toh hota hai hamara normal [film] dance but we weren’t used to this level of dancing, especially the stunts. I have done a lot of jhamas in the film. And Remo was very keen ki harness nahi use kare. He was like, ‘khud hi kar tu’. So, it was quite thrilling as well.

This year, you complete seven years in the industry as an actor. Do you think you are at a very interesting point in your career?
I think it’s because it is a redefining period in the sense that when you come in [to Bollywood], people are very excited with anything new you do. Then, they realise what all you can do and are like, ‘Okay, now what?’ So, I have to show people new facets of mine as an actor, have to choose stories and directors that move people. And honestly, the only reason why I wanted to be part of Street Dancer 3D is because of what it is talking about. There is a line in the trailer also wherein we discuss illegal immigration, which is a global issue today. That’s also a small part of the film. I don’t want to reveal anything but these things have been addressed beautifully and peacefully.

After Kalank’s debacle earlier this year, do you feel it’s imperative for your new film to work?
100%. At the end of the day, who doesn’t want their films to do well? We love all our films, but then there are some that we love a little extra. Street Dancer 3D is that film because we [Remo and team] are all coming back again and everything has fallen into place. This has the potential to really connect with people because it is not just a dance film. It has a story and a few other things that will really touch people. You won’t just see people dancing again. There is an X-factor, and a subject that, I feel, can strike a chord with people. Sometimes, the energy of a movie or the way it’s put together works out beautifully. I feel ke kuch hai iss film mein. So, let’s see.

You are also busy shooting for Coolie No 1 with your father, director David Dhawan. How is that shaping up?
I was dying to do a masala comedy film. Judwaa 2 (2017) ke baad maine kiya bhi nahi tha kucch aisa. I love this space but if you look closely, most of the characters that I play, I try to make them fun and entertaining parts that have a little masala. Dry characters play karne mein itna maza bhi nahi aata hai unless they have some depth or intensity to them like Badlapur (2015) or October (2018). But Coolie No 1 is shaping up well. The shoot is going on schedule, and it’s a really fun team to work with.

Besides Remo D’souza and Shraddha Kapoor, Street Dancer 3D teams you up again with Prabhudheva. How was it?
I think Prabhu sir has killed it again. He is unbelievable. Sometimes, when I danced with him, my knees would bend and he’d be like, ‘why are you getting scared’. He would fool around with me but I just love working with Prabhu sir. He helps so much with scenes, too, since he is a filmmaker as well. I have a lot of wonderful scenes with him. While some are serious, others are funny. We feel Street Dancer 3D has to be a children’s franchise so that way, it’s a clean movie.

There’s an India-Pakistan angle too in the film. Right?
I think that’s spelt out in the trailer as well, with a feeling of healthy rivalry. Basically, we are saying that India-Pakistan ka competition cricket mein ho yaa dance mein, mazza toh aayega. The way there is healthy competition and sportsmanship on the cricket field when the two teams play, the same is true when it comes to the dance competition. They want to better each other in every field. But having said that, the relationship has been explored in a very cool way. There are a lot of funny scenes as well between Shraddha, Prabhu sir and me. And as everyone knows, I just love comedy. So, this film will have lots of comedy, drama, romance and dance.

Many, especially the trade world, feel that Street Dancer’s success is very important for you. Agree?
Yes, it’s very important! Sometimes, there are films in your career when you feel ke kucch bhi ho jaaye, yeh film toh chalni hi chahiye and so, you also start feeling differently about it. For me, Street Dancer is that film. It has been made with a lot of passion, and too much hard work has gone into it. We all work very hard on our films. But when it comes to Street Dancer, I’ve known about it right from the beginning to now. I have been attached to this film for the last three years. I know how hard Remo has worked and how much we both have been pushing for this film. Remo and I’ve a superb relationship. I trouble him a lot and also respect him. It started with a documentary that he showed me. I had no idea that we’ll get our film’s story from a documentary, and was immediately hooked on to it. Then, Bhushan sir [Kumar; producer] came in and made sure that this film happens in the space and at scale that we aimed for. He gave whatever we asked for. The music is just incredible. So, yes, the film is important. I don’t want to say much as I don’t want to jinx it.

But after a lukewarm 2019, do you feel a little extra pressure vis-à-vis the film’s success?
No! Actually, I am not feeling that because in this film, I am not leaving anything to chance. I know there are expectations, and you want to live up to that. So, jo bhi kaam karna hai, I am doing it in advance. I am not like, ‘film aayegi, aur ab bhagwan pe chhod do, aur kucch accha ho jaayega.’ I think everyone has worked hard beforehand. During the shooting, too, agar kuch accha nahi lag raha tha then we would stop and shoot it again after three days. Koi scene work nahi karta tha toh reshoot kar lete they. Technically, there is pressure on both of us — me as well as Remo. But I like doing films under pressure. Nahi toh mazza nahi aata hai. And also, I think I work the best when I am pushed against the wall.
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Working again with childhood friend!
“Shraddha and I have been dancing since childhood, and have also been competitive about it since all the birthday parties that we used to dance at. Kaun first prize jeetega, aur kaun second, woh hamesha hum dono ke beech mein hota tha (smiles). She loves dancing and so do I. More than that, this film touches upon the dynamic that we share – that of unsaid love and unspoken friendship. Our characters are very interesting, and she is, of course, a great girl to work with.”