It is not uncommon for seasoned actors to find themselves in a lull between meaningful roles. This is something Varun Badola did not quite anticipate after his stint with Mere Dad Ki Dulhan (MDKD). Returning to television after almost five years with Itti Si Khushi, the actor reflects on the surprising silence that followed.

He admits, “Honestly, there hasn’t been a big role offer in the last five years. Every new show is a gamble. Everyone tries to make a good show, but sometimes you have to be lucky to get an MDKD. I really thought I would be flooded with offers afterward or at least get something meaningful. But no, it didn’t happen that way. And so, here we are, five years later.”

Varun’s reluctance to settle for anything less than substantial was key to his decision to take up Itti Si Khushi. He shares, “From an actor’s point of view, the biggest draw is the level of difficulty in the character. It is not straightforward. That’s what I always look for.”

Is it age, experience, or increased selectivity that makes roles harder to come by? He replies, “It is a combination of all the above, or maybe even more. MDKD was a risk. People usually avoid going salt and pepper on television. And to top that, they asked me to look as shabby as possible. I said, ‘Perfect, that’s how I want to do it’. This new character also requires me to go salt and pepper and look unkempt. I guess the start is fine (smiles).”

On the industry’s obsession with gloss, Varun has a clear perspective. He says, “There is a belief that everything we make should look glossy. But if you are portraying someone from the lower middle class, it cannot be glamorous. If you are playing one of those characters, you had better look the part.”

Though often seen in grounded, realistic roles, he does not feel boxed in. He says, “I don’t think I am getting stereotyped. The characters are different from each other. What binds them is honesty. Being real has always helped the character connect with the audience. Because these shows are not like stories where a family business is worth Rs. 500 crores and yet everyone is sitting at home. Not that I have anything against such shows. Some of them do work.”

And will he be comfortable being part of one of those glossy, grand shows? He replies, “No one has ever asked me about it. Let us leave it at that. Whether I would say yes or not is a different story, but no one has asked.”