Varun Sharma, who made his debut as Choocha in Fukrey (2013), completes 10 years in the industry this year, and while he’s thriving in the comedy space, the Chhichhoreactor tells us that he’s ready to move on to the dark side and showcase different facets of his talent.

“When you are new to the industry, you are only looking for some interesting work to come your way. Comedy was never an agenda. I was a regular boy who used to stand outside in a queue of 400 – 500 people for auditions. Of course, comedy is something I personally enjoy doing as it gives me a lot of peace and happiness. Being a 90s kid, I have grown up watching slapstick comedies. But over the years, the genre has evolved, and today, we keep things very real and subtle and still make people laugh. While I have explored so many sub-genres, I am yet to try my hand at a dark comedy.”

He adds, “Initially, I never thought I could do comedy because I was doing theatre for four-five years back home in Chandigarh. After attempting comedy and with the kind of reaction I got, I realized it was fun to be a part of the genre and its sub-genres. Over the years, humour has evolved.”

“I am a huge fan of thrillers, and I would like to explore something in this genre. Thanks to the OTT platforms for the kind of content they are churning out in such different spectrums today. They are banking on talent and are funding them to do what creatively satisfies them. I would like to do a thriller and play a dark role sometime soon. Imagine playing a serial killer, would anybody imagine me doing that? I have been telling my team ki aisa kuch interesting karte hai. A Varun Sharma who makes you smile and laugh can also terrify you as a bad boy on screen.”

“If a role requires me to have six-pack abs, then I will get it. Physicality for an actor varies from script to script, character to character. You cannot imagine a Choocha with a chiselled body. Personally, of course, being physically and mentally fit is really important. But at the same time, in whatever shape you are, you have to be happy at the end of the day. People come up to me and say, ‘You are very cute’, but no one says that you are very hot. Cuteness is also the new hotness; people should understand that (laughs).”

Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 1, 2020)

Varun Sharma’s debut Hindi film, London Dreams (2009), got him the title, groom on horse. Ask him about it and he breaks into laughter. He says that he always knew that films were his true calling and as luck would have it, he landed on the sets of a film starring Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn soon after his first big audition. He reminisces, “I was studying in a college called ITFT in Chandigarh where I was pursuing a bachelor’s degree in media, entertainment and film technology. Casting and auditions keep happening In Chandigarh for films that are shot in North India. I got to know that there are auditions being held for Vipul Amrutlal Shah’s film and so, I went there.”

Divulging details about his first stint on a film set, he shares, “I cracked the audition and then I was asked to go and meet Vipul sir. I had one scene in London Dreams where a wedding is taking place and I’m the groom sitting atop a horse. It was a crucial scene where Salman (Khan) sir’s and Ajay (Devgn) sir’s characters meet. I appear on the screen for a fraction of a second. It was my screen debut and that was the first time that I went to a film set.”

Sharing screen space with Salman had left him overwhelmed. “I was amazed to see Salman sir for the first time and the entire process of shooting a film. The shoot happened in a small town called Samrala that’s next to Ludhiana. I’ve memories of the whole day etched in my mind,” he says.

Varun shares that he first met the superstar as a child. “I had met Salman sir for the first time when I was a kid. He had come to my home town (Jalandhar, Punjab) for a promotional event. I had clicked a photograph with him then and when I met him again on the sets of London Dreams, I took it to him and he signed an autograph behind it,” he signs off.

The actor who’s winning hearts with his latest comic turn, on childhood idols, rejections and how he reinevents his game
Kunal Guha (MUMBAI MIRROR; September 22, 2019)

Twenty-nine-year-old Varun Sharma shot to fame almost instantly, when he made his debut in the film Fukrey in 2013. So persuasive was his portrayal of the obnoxious prankster Choocha, that the name became synonymous with the actor. But Sharma’s latest turn in Nitesh Tiwari’s Chhichhore promises to change that. “People already call me ‘Sexa’ wherever I go,” says Sharma, who sees it as a measure of the popularity of his latest avatar — a guy obsessed with porn.

His enthusiasm is justified. After all, it’s all he ever wanted. “I spoke with a lisp when I was young,” says Sharma, and describes how he’d stand on his bed and belt out “Yeh Tali Tali Aakhen” from his favourite film, Baazigar. “Years later, when I got to work with Abbas Mustan (in Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon) and Shah Rukh sir and Kajol ma’am (in Dilwale), it felt like life had come full circle.”

Born in Jalandhar, Sharma’s earliest memories of regaling an audience go back to his formative years. “Chabilal bhaiya”, who would drive him to his boarding school in Sanawar, HP, served as captive audience and Sharma entertained him with dialogues from his favourite films. Incidentally, school was also where his decision to turn to the profession came to be cemented. “Sanjay Dutt sir, who is an alumnus of my school, was the chief guest at a play once, and I signed up just for a chance to see him,” says Sharma. This was a big deal because Dutt’s 1997 film Daud was the first movie Sharma ever watched on the big screen at Jalandhar’s Lal Ratan Cinema. “I played a tree, and just stared at him [Dutt] in awe for the two hours I was on stage,” Sharma recalls.

Later, while pursuing a Bachelors in Chandigarh, Sharma began collaborating with Punjab University students on theatre productions. “Surprisingly, not once did I attempt comedy then,” says Sharma, who worked on Anton Chekhov’s plays, and even played Ashwathama in Andha Yug.

Moving to Mumbai nine years ago, Sharma began assisting casting director Nandini Shrikent, taking on movies such as Talaash, Ek Main Aur Ek Tu and Student Of The Year. But the ambition to act wasn’t shelved. “I used to audition whenever I could,” says Sharma, who credits his assisting gig for fine-tuning his craft. “When I’d audition 400 people for a part, I would learn as many ways to perform the same role.”

Yet, for all that learning, landing an acting job, even a commercial, seemed a distant dream. “I even got rejected from a shopping network,” says the actor, who was once told off because he didn’t look “upmarket” enough. “I was like ‘Main gora hoon, and my mummy says I am handsome’,” he laughs.

But Sharma was conscious that he wasn’t cut out to play the quintessential Bollywood hero. “My friends would tell me ‘Pehle body bana, phir audition pe ja’. But I felt if I wasted time on my physique, I would miss out on auditions.”

Three years later, he was signed for Fukrey. “I remember that day.” His eyes light up with the memory. “I called my mother to tell her that I would be working with the makers of Dil Chahta Hain, Rock On and Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara — and they’re saying I will be on the poster.” His mother went quiet for a minute, Sharma remembers. “That’s when I realised, a lot can be said through silence.”

The success of that film ensured Sharma wouldn’t have to hustle any more. “During my first script narration, a comedy, I broke into tears,” Sharma recalls. “When the director asked me what was wrong, I told him that it was the first time someone was actually asking me to be a part of a project.”

A dozen films later, some feel Sharma has gotten typecast. “If I seem repetitive, it may be because I become too attached to characters and need to work harder,” he defends himself “In Mumbai, one is constantly surrounded by shoptalk and this can get to you,” he says. To break away, after his first few films, Sharma spent a month in Goa, waiting tables at a friend’s bar. “The customers were mostly Russian so no one recognised me. And the experience helped me to reinvent my game.” For his next secret sabbatical, Sharma plans to take up a short-term course with a university overseas. “I want to study during the day, and spend my evenings working as a cashier in a department store or as an attendant at a petrol pump,” he says. “This could be a Pardes or Aa Ab Laut Chalen hangover.”

Rachana Dubey (BOMBAY TIMES; July 22, 2019)

Varun Sharma forms a solid part of the supporting cast of all his films and has managed to carve out a space for himself in Bollywood. He’s popularly addressed as Choocha, the name of the first character he had played on screen. Year 2019, has been busy one for the actor; he’s been shuttling between sets and slipping in and out of various characters. Varun will be seen in three distinctly different films in the next few months, starting with Arjun Patiala that opens this week. Over to the actor:

Year 2019 has been a busy one for you; three of your films — Arjun Patiala, Khandaani Shafakhana and Chhichhore — are ready for release and Roohi Afza is being shot right now...
As a teenager, I used to read celebrity interviews in which people would often say, ‘I have a few good films in my kitty’. I feel very happy that today, I, too, can say that. I do have a few interesting films in my kitty. I will always cherish the year 2019 in my life because I’ve literally lived out of a suitcase, travelled from one set to another and played such a variety of characters, which is a dream for any actor.

Your first release this year is Arjun Patiala, a spoof comedy set in Punjab. It’s a popular genre in the West, but relatively new to Bollywood. Does it make you nervous?
I agree that it is a new genre for Bollywood and is something that has worked well in the West. I am a fan of films like Scary Movie and Deadpool, which are popular in that genre. Comedy can be a lot more fun if you try something unique. With Arjun Patiala, we’re not making fun of any other film or the police department or a community. We’re just making fun of our own film. We’ve used some common industry jargons, which infuse a lot of humour in various situations in the film. If this one works, trust me, there will be many more films in this genre.

You play a buddy cop, Onida Singh, in this film. It’s an addition to your list of quirky character names like Choocha in Fukrey, Sexa in the upcoming Chhichhore. How different is this one from your previous characters?
Onida Singh has a back-story. His parents couldn’t buy a TV and instead had a son, who they named after the brand. It’s different from all my past characters from the word go. I’m really lucky that I get some whacked out names for my characters in films, which is one of the reasons why they are remembered by the audience. Like I’m called Sexa in Chhichhore. I really like such character names. I’ve met a lot of quirky people while growing up in my home city, Jalandhar. I’ve stayed in those Punjabi colonies and hung out with some really funny people. I love it when I get to play quirky characters on screen that have peculiarities.

The week after Arjun Patiala, you have another comedy film, Khandaani Shafakhana releasing, which revolves around a girl and her tryst with running a sex clinic in Punjab. The trailer reminds you of Ayushmann Khurrana’s Vicky Donor...
Khandaani Shafakhana tries to break taboos around sex. We’re not aiming to clear the air on a particular problem related to sex. We’re basically trying to open conversations around it. We want people to speak up if they have a problem. Sometimes, not knowing enough about sex can lead to bigger troubles. We just want people to be okay to talk about sex. It’s dangerous to not know about it. In this film, I play Sonakshi Sinha’s supportive brother, who is such a vella; he’s busy trying to grow his hair. This film is special for me because Mrighdeep Lamba directed me in my first film (Fukrey) and this is his first outing as a producer.

It’s a general perception that men can’t have sex problems, and even if they do, it’s far harder for them to address it and deal with it. This also comes from a misconstrued idea of machoism. While growing up in Punjab, did you ever have a conversation pertaining to sex with your elders?
I’ve seen sex clinics tucked inside lanes near bus stands and stations; I’ve crossed them but never entered any of those clinics. It’s true that we don’t talk about sex. I didn’t get any sex education when I was growing up. Our conditioning was such that we could never discuss it even with our peers. Desires and problems had to be tackled at a very personal level. We had to educate ourselves on matters relating to sex on our own. Urban cities are a lot more progressive, because kids here are often given sex education at the right age. It’s true that men don’t believe that they can have sexual disorders. Sometimes, when people know they have a problem, they hide it from their spouse, which leads to broken marriages and chaos in their marital lives. In an entertaining way, we’ve only tried to tell people that it’s essential to talk about sex.

Sometimes, just talking about sex-related topics helps in understanding the subject better and coping with problems, if there are any. Right?
Look, even though we believe that we are a progressive society at large, we read sexologist’s columns in newspapers but never tell anyone that we’ve read it. We fear that people will judge us. When I have kids, I would like to keep a line of conversation on this open, because I want them to have frank chats with me about their problems when they face hormonal havocs.

You have been playing funny characters in all your films so far. While this is your forte and you seem to enjoy it, are you only being offered comic characters in movies because filmmakers think that you have cracked it in this genre?
I won’t ever stop working in comedy films because all the comedies that I’ve worked in are different from each other. I have done many comedies, but none of my roles are repetitive. Yes, I want to try other genres and I’ve really wanted to do that for a long time. But that does not mean that I will steer away from comedies in the bargain. I’ve done theatre where I did only serious roles and from the very first film, I’ve only done funny characters. It’s tough to make people laugh and I realised that after my first film. I also felt that I have it in me to make people laugh. It gives me a beautiful feeling when I do that. Of the offers that come my way, 80 per cent are for comic characters and the remaining 20 per cent are a mix and often don’t work out. The actor in me wants to try new genres, but I guess I’ll have to wait.

Do you ever fear that people will find it difficult to accept you in a serious role?
If I do it correctly, they will accept me. I am often asked me if I am scared to be typecast in this space. People don’t hesitate to call me a comedian. I am not a comedian; I am an actor who excels in a specific genre. I’m in no hurry to pick up a serious character and prove a point to anyone. The day I am convinced about a part that I like, I will take the plunge. But I will not tear away from a genre that has worked well for me so far. Finding acceptance is an issue and a challenge that every actor faces. Our personality traits show up in all the characters we portray on screen. The only constant in my life is the effort that I put in to register every character I play.

Deepali Singh (DNA; July 8, 2019)

It’s rare that an actor gets associated with a character right from his first film itself, but even today, Varun Sharma is still fondly known as Chucha, the role that he played in Fukrey (2013) as well as Fukrey Returns (2017). The 29-year-old, who is shooting in Manali for the upcoming horror-comedy Roohi-Afza, says candidly, “It’s a blessing for me to be known by my character’s name and I hope it keeps changing as I essay other parts as well,” he says. However, the Dilwale actor admits that things have changed for him in the past two years. “The impact of Chucha still remains, but yes, people have started knowing me by my name as well,” he smiles.

With an impressive line-up of films such as Arjun Patiala, Khandaani Shafakhana, Chhichhore and Roohi-Afza, there’s a lot that audiences can expect from the Jalandhar boy. And a whole load of quirky roles for him to portray as well. Over to Varun...

The one thing that’s remained constant with you is comedy. The audience knows that with you around, there will not be a dull moment around. But do you want to try out other genres?
Firstly, I will never leave comedy because I love doing it. Secondly, it’s the genre that has given me acceptance and immense love from the audience. However, I do want to attempt different genres as I’m an actor. At the same time, I love making people laugh and I will continue doing it. Among the scripts that are offered to me around 80 per cent are comedy. But you will see me doing other things in the coming year.

Within comedy there is so much to do as well...
Yes, we try and do different things. You have seen a Fukrey or a Dilwale. They are different spaces. Arjun Patiala is a spoof-comedy, which has not been explored here in India before. I’m shooting for Roohi-Afza, which is a horror-comedy.

You formed a friendship with Kriti Sanon while working with her in Dilwale and now in Arjun Patiala. You seem to have become fond of Sonakshi Sinha, who’s your co-star in Khandaani Shafakhana as well. 
Sonakshi and I clicked instantly. She’s not a Punjabi, but I feel she is a hardcore Punju at heart (laughs)! We bonded over songs, language, food, etc. We have become the best of friends. Even after the shoot got over, the whole gang would chill together. I have found a great buddy in her. I can pick up the phone anytime and talk to her. It’s good to have genuine people around you, who are there for you when you need them. That’s the magic of filmmaking. When you are on sets 18-20 hours of the day for two-three months at a stretch, the unit becomes like family.

Do you want to delve into the digital space? 
I would love to be a part of a fiction show on that platform. There was something that had almost worked out, but couldn’t happen as I didn’t have the required dates. But if something interesting comes up in the digital space, I would love to be a part of it.

What kind of shows do you like to watch on OTT platforms?
I just finished this mini-series called When They See Us. I’m currently watching the second season of Dark now. The kind of stuff I watch is absolutely different from what I do on screen — I enjoy thrillers and mind-games. Some of my favourite shows are Black Mirror, a dystopian thriller show called 3%, Ozark, Tyrant, etc. When I get the time, I want to see Chernobyl.

You might just get to try out something like this in the online space... 
I hope so. Maybe next year, you will see me killing people! (Laughs)

Varun Sharma on his frequent co-star and friend, the inner workings of a spoof-comedy and why Nitesh Tiwari’s campus-drama is the closest to his heart
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 27, 2019)

It’s an eventful year for Varun Sharma. The actor will be seen in Hardik Mehta’s Roohi Afza with Rajkummar Rao and Janhvi Kapoor, which is currently being shot in Manali, as well as in Arjun Patiala with Diljit Dosanjh and Kriti Sanon, Nitesh Tiwari’s Chhichhore with Sushant Singh Rajput and Shraddha Kapoor and as Sonakshi Sinha’s brother in Khandaani Shafakhana. Admitting that it’s the busiest he has been in his career, the actor says, “As a kid, I would read news articles in which actors gave statements like, ‘I have a few films in my kitty’ and would often wish to be in that space. Now, it seems like a dream come true.”

In Arjun Patiala, he plays a cop alongside Diljit to Kriti’s journalist. “We have seen physical, situational, and horror comedies, but this is a film where, in bits and pieces, we are making fun of ourselves. We haven’t written off a certain cop film or an actor though. For example, there are certain phrases like, ‘budget issues hai, nahin ho payega’ or ‘ek mandatory song toh hona hi chahiye,’ that only people in this profession will identify with. The spoof genre is hugely popular in the West and we are now attempting it here,” Varun explains.

This is his third film with Kriti after Dilwale and Raabta and the actor admits that he has found a close friend in her. “I am very fond of her and I call her ‘bro’ as I share that kind of an equation with her. As a person, she is phenomenal; I can share anything with her. If I ever have a problem or just need a suggestion, I can always ask her. It’s good to have people in your life around whom you can be yourself,” the actor smiles.

Varun goes on to say that among his upcoming films, Chhichhore is the closest to his heart. “I am called Sexa in it and I love it. Right from Choocha (Fukrey) to Sidhu (Dilwale) to Onida Singh (Arjun Patiala) and now this, it has been a journey with the quirkiest names. I play an IITian in the film and shooting for it brought back so many memories from my own time at a boarding school in Chandigarh, like sneaking out of our classes, sneaking into each other’s room and playing pranks,” he reminisces.

Incidentally, Khandaani Shafakhana and Arjun Patiala are set for a box-office face-off on July 26. “This is the first time something like this has happened to me,” he laughs, promptly moving on to the subject of the Sonakshi-starrer, which revolves around a familyrun sex clinic. “There are certain taboos that exist even today, like people holding back the girls from doing things, and there is a strong message in the film around that too. However, it’s not preachy. We have conveyed the message in an entertaining way,” he explains.

Lastly, any update on the third instalment of Fukrey? “We are all waiting for it to happen and have been requesting the makers to make it happen. I think the writing process is still on,” Varun signs off.

As told to Himesh Mankad (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 24, 2019)

I had wanted to get into films ever since I watched Shah Rukh Khan in Baazigar. After finishing school, I went to a film institute in Chandigarh and started working in theatre. My first acting experience was performing in front of a live audience and that gave me a lot of confidence. It also helped as while acting in films, you are surrounded by a lot of unknown people who watch you perform.

For my role as Choocha in Fukrey, I followed a pattern by touching base with people who are like him in real life. I would stand outside schools and colleges in Delhi to observe the mannerisms of the kids. I never interacted with them, as I wanted to have an independent take on the character, however I did incorporate the nuances I had picked up.

Working with Govinda in FryDay was the most enriching experience. Here, the process wasn’t to prepare before shooting, but to learn while enacting a scene with him. He has a flair for comedies, and my only attempt was to match his energy. I explored a different zone of comedy with him.

My upcoming film Arjun Patiala is the most interesting character that I have found after Choocha. It’s a buddy cop film with Diljit Dosanjh and Kriti Sanon which will make you laugh and cry at the same time. As I play a Punjabi cop in it, I spoke to a lot of policemen residing in small villages. There is a different shade of comedy in this film, which I was able to imbibe only after interacting with real people. It is important to not lose touch with the ground reality as real-life experiences come in handy when playing rooted characters.

Whenever I get the chance, I hang out with my non-filmy friends and visit different locations in India to interact with people. This gives me a different perspective on life, which I can incorporate when acting in films. I feel fortunate to have got the chance to explore different characters and work with talented directors who have helped me add a different arc to all my characters.

Varun Sharma on how he wants to break out of his Choocha mould with his upcoming campus drama, Chhichhore
Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; May 1, 2019)

His character from Fukrey (2013) has gained such a strong recall value that it's almost difficult to dissociate Varun Sharma from Choocha. While he is glad that the movie showcased his flair for comedy, the actor says that he is attempting to break away from the funny-guy image with his upcoming offerings.

"I don't want to sound arrogant, but not many actors are fortunate to be remembered by the name of their characters. So, I will always be indebted to Choocha. Fukrey changed the game for me - earlier, my life was all about auditions, it [enabled me to graduate to] narrations. However, there is a conscious effort to do different kind of work. I won't lie; most of the scripts that come my way are comedies, but I intend to take up diverse work."

The actor's line-up includes Arjun Patiala, Rooh Afza with Rajkummar Rao and a yet-untitled comedy with Sonakshi Sinha. However, it is the Nitesh Tiwari-directed Chhichhore that he holds close to heart. "Every day on the set was a learning experience. Even in the most casual chats, he would share so many insights, and they stay with you. Initially, I was scared because he has made Dangal (2016), which is inarguably one of the best films of Indian cinema. But as time progressed, work became fun."

Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; July 2, 2018)

Years ago, Varun Sharma had come to Mumbai to fulfil his dream of becoming an actor. It was a huge step for the Jalandhar boy, to leave his family and friends back home in Chandigarh, and pursue a career in Bollywood.

Today, Varun has scripted his success story on the big screen, and he says that he loves every bit of this city — which he refers to as his home and karmbhoomi. He says, “People make a city, it’s not the other way round. It is the vibe of a city that makes it unique. Mumbai and its people are full of warmth and love — it has the best qualities of all the cities in India. People from across the country come here to fulfil their dreams. Look at the film industry — it has talents from different parts of the country, speaking different languages and belonging to different cultures, collaborating to entertain the whole of India.”

Ask him how he flirts with the city, and Varun says that he loves exploring the by-lanes of Mumbai in his car. He says, “Driving in the city rejuvenates me.” The actor loves Mumbai’s monsoon as well — especially going out for a stroll in the rains and munching on bhutta. He tells us, “If North Indians rave about their winters, we have our monsoon. When I am not shooting, I sit in my balcony with a cuppa and some pakodas. What better way to enjoy rains than lazing around in your house and admiring nature.”

Talking about his early days in the city, Varun recalls his special association with Carter Road. He had landed in Mumbai a few days ahead of India’s historic cricket World Cup win in 2011. After the match, he stepped out with his sister on Carter Road, as the celebrations shifted from people’s living rooms to the streets of Mumbai.

Little did he know then that this stroll would get him to meet Shah Rukh Khan in person! Varun recollects, “We were celebrating our win with ice cream. Suddenly, a car pulled over and the next thing I see is Shah Rukh Khan emerging out of the sun roof and waving at the crowd. He has always been my inspiration and he was the reason I had come to Mumbai. At that point, I didn’t know that I would be working with him in Dilwale.”

Bungalows of famous stars are definitely an attraction for aspiring actors and during his initial days here, Varun would often stand outside his favourite actors’ bungalows. The other popular landmarks he feels a strong connect with are Mehboob Studio and Aaram Nagar. He explains, “As a child, whenever I heard news about the film industry, I would particularly be fascinated by the word Mehboob Studio. So, I made it a point to see it after I landed here. Araam Nagar is special for obvious reasons, as every aspiring actor goes through rounds of auditions there.”

The actor says that he loves being a part of the madness, warmth and chaos of Mumbai. “Outsiders feel that one can easily get lost in Mumbai. But when you join the madness, you realise the immense love and great opportunities it offers. This city will never let you sleep on an empty stomach if you are willing to work hard. My family was a bundle of nerves when I was coming here, but the journey has been fruitful and beautiful,” says the actor, adding, “Nothing beats the street food in Mumbai. My favourite haunts are Amar Juice centre for the late-night pav bhaji and dosa. I also frequent South Mumbai for its amazing food joints.”

Renuka Vyavahare (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2017)

Amidst their whirlwind promotional tour ahead of the film’s release yesterday, Team Fukrey Returns took some time off to go on a seaside date with BT on a beautiful breezy evening. The group, comprising lead actors Richa Chadha, Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Manjot Singh, owned Marine Drive with their antics as they posed exclusively for our cameras. We also took them for a drive around SoBo during which they spoke about their camaraderie, the Delhi vs Mumbai debate and their film. The lads joked that they considered Richa as one of them (read londa). The actress nodded in affirmative, as she made Manjot sit on her lap so that we all could fit in the car! Here’s what transpired on that hilarious journey. Excerpts...

Looks like Manjot is the baby of the gang. Having worked together in Fukrey,we’re sure that you all are extremely comfortable with each other. So, how was it reuniting for the sequel?
Richa: Manjot wants to be the baby. (Asks him) ‘Itni badi daadi ho gayi hai, tu bada kab hoga?’ As far as reuniting with these boys is concerned, I have worked with men, who were senior and serious, during the Gangs of Wasseypur. They used to discuss 1975 or 1982 mein kya hua. With the Fukras, I can talk and laugh about banal and crazy things. It could be with anyone — Ali (Fazal), Pulkit, Manjot or Choocha (Varun Sharma).
Varun: Fukrey was my debut film and I was thrilled to see myself in a movie. To reunite for the sequel was nostalgic. The chemistry we share off screen reflects on screen as well. We hope that people have jhamfaad fun this time around, too.

Pulkit, Fukrey had struck a chord with the youngsters, especially your song Ambarsariya. What can we expect from the sequel?
The story picks up a year after the events that unfolded in Fukrey. Bholi Punjaban (Richa) is out of the prison and she is back with a vengeance. It’s double the fun this time around. In Ambarsariya, I was trying to woo the girl (Priya Anand), but this time around, the song, Ishq De Fanniyar, shows us dating. However, there’s still no French kiss (smiles).

Talking about each other, what’s that one quality of your co-star that you find most fascinating?
Pulkit: Richa is very knowledgeable, she can make you feel like an idiot. She knows a lot, is a good orator, has good command over languages and you can have a healthy debate with her. There will be disagreements, but she will listen to you. At the end of the day, it’s like aaj humne kya sikha? Varun inspires me a lot. Put him in any tricky situation and he will come out victorious. Manjot achcha hai (all laugh). The most fun we have is when we all get together to make fun of him; he cracks terrible jokes.
Richa: I never make him feel like an idiot! Pulkit is a typical Punjabi boy — he is protective and he likes to feed people — he gets us the food we like. Just the other day, he got broccoli manchurian for me, which Manjot ate. Also, he doesn’t like to eat alone. So, the credit of us eating together goes to him. He’s a gentleman. Even during promotions, he takes care of us. As far as Varun is concerned, usko dekhte hi hasi aati hai. He is very hard-working; Manjot is the bakra in the film and in real life.
Manjot: Inka din nahi dhalta, mujhse pange liye bina. They are all very sweet to me.

Work ceases to be work when you are with your friends, right?
Richa: That’s true. I’ve never had an experience like this before; we didn’t even know ke picture shoot kab ho gayi.
Manjot: The Fukrey franchise is an addiction, we are pampered and spoilt by Excel Entertainment (production company). I don’t know what I’ll do after the film releases. We hope that people like the sequel and demand a third installment.

What was the vibe on the set during breaks?
Pulkit: We shot in the months of November and December in Delhi when it was freezing cold. So, during breaks, we would sit in front of a fireplace with a quilt.
Varun: All of us eat together. We didn’t have a single meal on our own, except for Manjot, who never shared his food (laughs). Even now, he hasn’t offered us the fruit that he has been nibbling on.

Since your film is set in Delhi, do you think there are any differences between Mumbai and Delhi Fukras?
Varun: Fukrey fukrey hotay hain. Language could be different, but dil same hota hai. Fukron ki zindagi umeed pe nahi, jugaad pe kaayam hai.
Richa: Delhi Fukras have more time. For Mumbai’s Fukras, life is busier and there’s so much traffic! We had so much time in Delhi for ourselves.

Continuing the Mumbai vs Delhi debate, what are the major differences between the two cities?
Pulkit: Delhi has the best food when compared to any other city in the country. We also have winters! On the other hand, you’ll find medical stores in every nook and corner of Mumbai, which is great. Of course, now you have those 24/7 stores in Delhi too, but not as many as in Mumbai. Plus the cycle pe garma garam chai and idli that you get in Mumbai, you won’t find it in Delhi.
Varun: Mumbai has no open roads and no playgrounds in schools. There’s severe space crunch. In Delhi, you can discover an internal route where tum gedi maar sakte ho. Raat ko Marine Drive pe Punjabi log shaayad gedi maarte honge. If you listen to loud music in cars, you know a guy is with a girl.

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; December 8, 2017)

Varun Sharma, who returns with the second instalment of his first film, the 2013 Mrigdeep Singh Lamba-directed comedy Fukrey, today is understandably excited. “Choocha was the first character I ever played so I was kicked to hear that a sequel was in the works. Not many actors get to reprise their debut role. The characteristics and tonality were decided in the original but while prepping for the sequel, I was constantly wary of going overboard. In the last four years, I’ve worked on different characters so there was also a lot of unlearning to play Choocha again,” he admitted.

The reunion with the original cast was a nostalgia trip. “We returned to Delhi University’s Miranda House college on the first day, where the original was shot as well. On the sets, we slipped back into our respective characters seamlessly,” Varun recounts.

The 31-year-old actor recently moved into a new house in Andheri, a three-BHK terrace flat that he shares with his mother, and reveals that he feels more at home in it than in his previous pad. “My mother is a painter and she likes the new setup. She has decorated the house according to her tastes and it’s comforting as I have lived in a bachelor pad for so long,” Varun explains.

On the work front, he has begun shooting Abhishek Dogra’s comedy, Fry Day, with Govinda. “I’m finished with the first schedule, we start the next by the month-end. It’s going to be a busy New Year for me. But there’s something to look forward to. On January 14, I leave for the US with friends from kindergarten to college. We plan to visit Universal Studios, ” he signs off.

Varun Sharma on his recently concluded 20-day journey through some of India's most difficult terrains and why he'd do it again
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; August 30, 2016)

Last week, funny man Varun Sharma who will be seen road-tripping in the show IRT (Ice Road Truckers) — India's Deadliest Roads returned from an adventurous truck-ride from Manali to Turtuk, a village in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir.

He describes the experience as surreal. "I drove on one of the toughest Indian terrains with six-seven tons of goods that we were carrying for the locals. The roads there are covered with snow for six months so they need to stock up on food and other supplies. We ferried vegetables, timber and cement, along with several perishables. It felt nice to see that the supplies brought a smile to the locals' faces," recalls the Dilwale actor adding that he crossed Gipsa, Sarchu, Sokar, Leh, Pangong Lake between Manali and Turtuk.

Varun admits that the 20-day journey which began in the first week of August was far from smooth. "It wasn't easy riding a truck, more so since I hadn't driven one before. Also, the mud roads turn slippery when it rains. One tiny mistake and we would have gone tumbling down. It was scary!" he reminisces.

He adds that the highlight of the trip was crossing the Khardung La, the world's highest motorable pass. "It felt like an achievement. And even the kids in the remote village of Turtuk recognised me because of Fukrey and Dilwale. I spent some enjoyable hours chatting with them about my films and their school. They even took me on a recce of their village which has pressure cookers and vessels made of stones," Varun marvels. It clearly was a lifechanging experience!

The actor is gung-ho about embarking on the trip again. "Now, I know what it's like to be without a phone for days and walk 10 kms to a satellite phone booth at an army base camp to reach out to my family. I am happy that I came back alive," he laughs. Next time, he'd rather go with his friends.