Varun Sharma, a self-proclaimed fan of digital content, is glad to have made his debut on OTT. The actor starred in a web series, Chutzpah, which talked about how the internet is deeply embedded in our world.

“It is World Wide Web for everyone, but for some people it is weird wide web,” says Sharma, adding, “I have always played characters that are relatable. Be it Chucha or Sexa, they work for me. The digital space is such an interesting medium as people of all ages watch content online and there is something for everyone.”

Shooting for the series was a “difficult and different” experience for him as there were no co-stars on set, and he had to talk to a monitor. Moreover, it was shot after the first lockdown, so a skeletal crew added to the experience. Sharma says he is glad that the reception for the show has been good. “I have been hearing that people are loving the treatment of the series and feel the content is new,” he further adds.

Nowadays, we live a major part of our lives online. Ask him how active he is on the internet and he explains, “I won’t lie, I am a regular user. But I have improved. I have a few mantras like to not check my phone right after waking up, in fact not for an hour, and not checking it again an hour before sleeping. On holidays, I carry a regular phone, not a smartphone so that I don’t browse the net,” the Fukrey (2013) actor reveals.

Has he seen the dark side of the digital age? The actor says he hasn’t experienced it personally but has seen people fall prey to it. “I have seen people being affected by social media. That’s sad as social media can get toxic. People today don’t confide in friends or family. Reading or hearing something or receiving a random comment can affect people in a huge way. Such things can affect their mental health and thought process. Validation is important for everyone, but seeking validation on social media is not cool. I keep telling my friends that social media is only one part of our lives, not our whole lives,” he explains.

The actor recently shot for filmmaker Rohit Shetty’s Cirkus and is looking forward to its release. “We are waiting for the cinemas to open fully. The magic of cinema is awaited, as nothing can match up to that feeling of community viewing. We are desperate for things to get back to normal. We should be able to watch movies like we used to — by clapping, laughing and shouting together.”

With 'Chutzpah', Mrigdeep Singh Lamba has reunited with his Fukrey actors Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh. If the comedy franchise was set in the gullies of Delhi, the creator-writer has delved into the frenzied world of the internet with his maiden web offering. “We all know the importance of the internet in our lives. It was about time we told stories about [how it has influenced] us,” says Lamba of the Sony LIV show that also features Tanya Maniktala, Elnaaz Norouzi and Kshitij Chauhan.

Even though he has developed the material from scratch with co-writer Amit Babbar, Lamba consciously decided against wielding the directorial baton, instead giving the responsibility to Simarpreet Singh. Elaborating on his decision, he says, “Initially, when we were planning the show, the third part of Fukrey was falling in place. That was one of the reasons [I stepped back from directing the series]. But more importantly, I wanted to bring a younger perspective to the show. I knew Simar’s previous work and felt he is the right person to bring the [energy] that I may be missing.”

Lamba, who has showcased the everyday adventures of the youth in 'Chutzpah', hopes it strikes a chord with the target audience. “I have learnt this from rappers Badshah and Yo Yo Honey Singh — they say that they keep their ear to the ground to understand what the youth likes. I too keep myself updated and try to see how normal life can be brought to the screen.”

Last year, director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba gave fans a reason to cheer as he announced that the third instalment of Fukrey is in the works. However, 'Fukrey 3', like many other projects, has not got off the ground due to the pandemic. In the interim, Lamba has reunited with the Fukrey boys — Varun Sharma aka Choocha and Manjot Singh — for the web series, 'Chutzpah'.  

Sharma is hoping to recreate the magic of the laugh riot with their latest outing, as he says, “Mrigdeep sir is my lucky mascot. He has been a source of support whenever I have tried to explore a new genre. Working on Chutzpah was like homecoming.”

The Sony LIV offering — which also features Tanya Maniktala of 'A Suitable Boy' fame and Elnaaz Norouzi — depicts how social media influences and dominates the lives of youngsters. “The success of the 'Fukrey' franchise made Varun and Manjot household names. I am glad to work with them again on this cracker of a script,” says Lamba.