LIFE HAS TO BE ABOUT MORE THAN FAME...

As a Bollywood ‘insider’, Varun Dhawan knows all there is to know about the
unpredictable world of glitz and glamour. After the pandemic, the actor feels he needs to do more than entertain people — he feels he should also be able to share their problems and connect to his fans the way Amitabh, Shahrukh and
Salman do. He talks to us about this difficult situation and how he has changed.

 After a very tough period, the awards ceremony (to be held in Dubai) is finally happening. Are you looking forward to it? Are you excited about meeting your international fans?

I have been waiting impatiently to meet and interact with my fans. Since I live right in front of Juhu beach, I would walk there during the pandemic, but was able to meet only a handful of fans.

I want to be able to discuss my fans’ personal lives with them — what’s happening in their homes, what their life is like...

What’s your view of fame?

The height of fame lasts only for a few years. What happens after that? Your life has to be more than that. I want to be in touch with people the way Amit ji [Amitabh Bachchan] is. He meets them regularly. That’s why he is who he is. He captivates the entire nation with his presence. That is something I really wish to do. I want to connect a little more with my fans.

So will you also go out on the rooftop or outside your house and start a trend of meeting fans, like Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and Salman do?

Mera bungalow nahi hai . I still have a long way to go. If I do have one, then I will definitely dedicate a couple of hours to meeting my fans like Shahrukh [Khan] Sir, Salman Sir and Amitabh Sir do. We need not have any expectations from our fans. We need to give back to them.

You have had back-to-back releases earlier, but for the last two years, you haven’t had any release. Does this make you feel anxious?

It 100% makes you anxious and insecure. But you have to grow personally too, especially during such times. My father has done 45 to 46 films and has been working for many years now. He has always been making films. He has had to sit at home too. I’m much younger. But we all have to realise our lives can’t remain like this. We need to give time to our kids, girlfriends, boyfriend or pets. This is
also important.

The GenNext connects much more with you...

Obviously, they more comfortable talking casually with me. I have a huge fan following amongst the younger generation. I hope I can connect with
the older generation too