As an actor, it's difficult to be fearless and fight your own insecurities'

As the trailer of the romance-drama Bawaal was unveiled at a virtual global press meet in Dubai, Varun Dhawan, who plays the protagonist, Ajay Dixit, aka Ajju Bhaiya, opposite Jahnvi Kapoor’s Nisha in the film, gave some candid answers to questions posed to him.

What is your chemistry with Jahnvi like?

I want people to watch the film and find out. We belong to different schools of acting and came together under the umbrella of Nitish sir’s coaching. It was wonderful.

You play a history teacher. How much does history interest you in real life?

Obviously, be it History or Geography, you have to learn in Standard X. I had to beat my brother’s percentage in Std X, so I studied very hard for those exams. These subjects are always important. History prepares you for the future. You learn so many things through history. That’s what my role in Bawaal stresses too.

How do you think this film will affect your career?

Working with Nitish Tiwari sir was in my bucket list, ever since I watched his Dangal and Chhichhore. During Covid times too, I would call him up and ask for work. One day I went to his office and requested him to think of some story in which I could be cast. Eight or nine months later, I got to know I was to be a part of his Bawaal. There’s a great arc to this character. This film gives an important message. Zindagi mein aap ko kya chaihye? What are your priorities? All this has been depicted in this film. Life has to be experienced. This is also shown in the film. Hope it will be well received by the people.

You transit between light and serious emotions in the film. Was that difficult?

It wasn’t challenging because Nitish sir told me not to prep, but just come to the office to read the script and find a rhythm. This made me very comfortable.

How much do you push yourself as an actor when you take up an unconventional role?

My last film was Wolf. In this I play a very different role in comparison to my real life. I am always in search of different roles. As an actor, it’s difficult to be fearless and fight your own insecurities. Every individual cares so much about their image. Filter laga kar zindagi jeete hai aajkal.

What were your magic moments in this film?

There is a lot of humour in this movie. I enjoyed doing Salsa in the middle of a road during the chilly weather.

Any memorable moments while shooting in any location?

For me, shooting in Kanpur was memorable. My father was a student in the school my character Ajju Bhaiya teaches at. He lived in Kanpur for many years. I would talk to him while shooting there and he would reminisce. Surprisingly, three directors I worked with — David Dhawan, Nitish Sir and Amar Kaushik — belong to Kanpur.

It was wonderful to shoot with people from this place. The lingo is nice. We had a lot of fun there.