Varun Dhawan talks about the future of Bollywood stardom
It’s no secret that Varun Dhawan is one of the most trending celebrities in Bollywood. The actor has an impressive list of films in his kitty and has time and again proved that he is an extremely talented and versatile actor. Thanks to the internet, celebrities have achieved a god-like level of stardom. The actor recently spoke to a leading entertainment media portal about the future of the stardom that celebs will eventually face.
The actor spoke about his idea of stardom and stated, “Firstly, what’s stardom? It’s simply a person’s ability to connect with fans. An actor can’t become a star if people don’t make him one. I remember how as a kid, people would talk about my father’s (director David Dhawan’s) insane box-office record. At home, he’d only talk about how he made movies for the love of people. Many of them would come up to tell me about being unwell, and how they saw my dad’s film, they felt better: Unki tabiyat theek ho gayi! This power to heal people, or make them smile, is stardom. Salman Khan, for instance, was a star 20 years ago. He’s a bigger star now. And that’s because he’s constantly connecting with fans — through Internet, social-media, cinemas, radio… There are far more avenues to connect now. You can’t take stardom for granted. After my first film, Salman Bhai just told me, “Yeh toh chal gayi. Par ab kya karega? (This one worked. What’ll you do now?)” Which is true. The first film chooses you. After that, if the choices you make don’t tally with what the audience wants, they’ll just throw you out.”
When asked what he thought about the fan following of actors like the Khans, he stated, “As much as people like to put some people up (on a pedestal), they also like to see their heroes fall. That’s just life. As an actor, I just have to choose the right kind of films, as times change. You have to move with the times. Today I shot for an ad, for instance, which was being directed by a 26-year-old, and she knew exactly what she wanted, and how — much better than many seasoned directors I’ve worked with. If this is the future, then it’s great. I’m 30, there’s a four-year gap between us. Five years ago, when I came into the industry, I knew what kids wanted. I haven’t updated myself since, because I don’t consume as much entertainment as I did then. I can’t see trends as well as I could, during school and college. I had to learn from the 26-year-old girl. I was happy that she could tell me where I was going wrong.”
When asked if he thought that social media turned the perception of a film, he said, “Totally. And there are social media stars as well. They are stars in their own right. They’re hugely entertaining on the web. But can they open a film, or guarantee numbers? No. Our country is very big. This year, ‘heartland’ films have done better in Delhi-UP, because those audiences could connect with the films. Maharashtra, on the other hand, which would bring in the maximum revenues before, hasn’t posted the best numbers. Here again, the Mumbai audience is different from Delhi’s. So yes, I called myself a ‘hero’ in my own film. But I didn’t call myself a star. I feel the media anoints stars too soon. Of course, personally, I feel good about that. But, frankly, becoming a star is something else. A hundred people trying to touch you, is not stardom. You’re liked as an actor, sure. But a star generates mass hysteria —Rajesh Khanna, Shah Rukh, Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan — these are stars. We mustn’t tag too soon, or so easily. Do you agree?”
Talking about being active on social media, Varun stated, “Well, once I start work with Shoojit Sir (on the film October), I’ve been asked to go off social media. He doesn’t want me to think about a lot of (extraneous) things. But even on social media, one has to realise that you’ve put out whatever you had to, and then you just have to move on.”
When asked about him wanting his films to be made for a pan India audience, he said, “Yes, that’s right. It’s really sad that our films don’t work in the South. And I don’t even know why we say South. I know it’s in the southern part. But it’s our country, it’s India. I pray that my film does well in Kashmir, the Northeast, Andhra, and why not? They are my brothers and sisters. A film like Baahubali showed us (that it’s possible). Is Prabhas a star or not?”
Talking about assumptions that an actor is privileged if he comes from a film-family, Varun said, “It’s not an assumption. It’s true. You have a better entry into films, people you can talk to, and discuss (films and filmmaking with). The assumption, though, is that each person (from a film-family) is from the same background. Now Vicky Kaushal, a fine actor, is action-director Shyam Kaushal’s son. I’m sure he would’ve found some help. But not so much help. He may have actually struggled his way in. I can say how much ever I have to about my own struggles, but it will be cutting a sorry figure. That’s not the human being I am.”
When asked at what age Varun started referring to himself as an actor, he stated, “At 16. I saw American Psycho at a theatre, thrice, back-to-back. I didn’t leave my room for three days after and started enacting scenes. Because there were no people around me, I’d talk to milk cartons, or the door. I would shoot my own video, and show it to friends. And they’d go, “Dude, what’s wrong with you?” I’d say, “I’m an actor. I’m feeling like I’m an actor!” If you’re truly an actor, your self-confidence has to be super-high. You’re gonna get knocked on the chin so many times, especially in 2017 — social-media, critics, or people pretending to be critics. Everyone has an opinion. So your self-belief has to be rock solid.”
(Also read: Varun Dhawan determined to surpass the 150 crore mark with ‘Judwaa 2’)
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Credits: mid-day