'Just want to entertain audience'
Known for his quirky roles in Bollywood, Varun Sharma has once again outdone himself with his last release Chhichhore. While everybody is familiar with his acting potential, not many are aware of his journey, struggles and his fight for survival in the showbiz industry. Therefore, Millennium Post caught up with the actor to know the actor beyond his identity as 'Choocha'.
How did you enter the industry?
At the age of 7 or 8, I was watching the song 'Yeh Kaali Kalli Aankhein' from the film Baazigar. I remember how I was jumping on the bed as I started singing and dancing on the song. I went up to my mother and told her "Mumma, when I grow up I want to become an actor".
That was the first time the thought within me was generated, and it is because of Baazigar and Shah Rukh, the thought stayed with me for a very long time. After my schooling from a St Lawrence, Kasauli (boarding school), I went to ITFT, Chandigarh – where I did my graduation in film-making. After that, I wanted to pursue acting and also did theatre for sometime. Then, when I came to Mumbai, initially I started as a casting assistant for the films like Talash, Ek Mein Hu Aur Ek Tu, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Student of the Year. While I took auditions, I side by side tried to do my round of auditions as well. Then Fukrey happened and life shifted from auditions to narrations – most beautiful phase for any actor to have.
You have been doing these comical and quirky roles in most of your films. When will the audience get to see you experiment?
I really enjoy doing such roles which have a comedy element in them. I love making people laugh. As an actor, I do want to explore different genres and in the next year, I will be working on some projects in different genres. I would not say that I am not trying to lay my hands on anything new or different than comedy, but I think comedy is one thing which is very close to my heart. This genre has given me emmense love and acceptance from the audience (that is what I am here for). Apart from comedy, I would love to work in thrillers and crime dramas.
What attracts you the most in comic roles?
All the roles that I have been a part of, from Choocha to Sexa, I think it is the quirkiness and the characterisation of the roles I play in the story attract me. I am one of those people who just go by the gut and if I have a good feeling about something, I just go ahead and get on board.
How much does the length of your role or screen time matter to you?
The thing which matters the most is whether my part is leaving an impact or does it have the potential to entertain the audience Because at the end I am here to entertain, right?
You have been majorly seen in supporting roles. But if given an opportunity to play lead, what kind of role would you want to do?
I think, I just want to be viable. As far as I am on the poster of my film, I am very viable (he believes). Having a heroic role, a supporting role, or a comic role doesn't matter much.
Chhichhore is doing quite well at the box office. How do you feel?
It feels magical and unreal. The kind of love that we are getting for Chhichhore and Sexa (his character) is absolutely beautiful. The way it has been received by the audience is fantastic. I have been getting messages from all over the country, from my friends and family that it has touched so many lives.
What's next on your plate?
I have just finished shooting for Roohiafza, which is being directed by Hardik Mehta and produced by Dinesh Vijan and Mrigdeep Singh Lamba. It is horror-comedy which stars Rajkumar Rao and Jahnvi Kapoor along with me.
