SRK taught me not to take stardom for granted, says Varun Dhawan

In a free-wheeling chat, Varun Dhawan talks about his first Rohit Shetty film, lessons from sharing screen space with Shah Rukh Khan and playing to an unforgiving audience...

You’re starring in a Rohit Shetty film with Shah Rukh Khan. Does that reflect on your growth as an actor?
I hope so, because people are approaching me on the basis of my previous work. His writers — Younis Bhai and Sajid-Farhad — they have been watching my work and congratulating me. I didn’t know Rohit so well, but I had said that I wanted to work with him from day one.

I really liked the character that he offered me. I have an elder brother in real life too, so I could identify with my character, the brotherly love, the sacrifice a younger brother makes. Rohit’s style of filmmaking is such that he keeps upgrading himself every two years — be it in writing or the look of his film. There was an amazing give-and-take rapport with him and he let me be myself. I love the action, comedy and emotion in his films — I think somewhere these kind of films are not being made.

Are you saying that these kinds of movies — the massy type — are not being made?
Obviously, the tone and pitch of these movies are not real but in a way, they connect. I’ll give you an example. Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashmah is one of the longest-running shows on TV. Many will say that it is not “real”. But why is it running then? Because the emotion connects. Somewhere in a Rohit Shetty film, he gets the emotion of families and values right. The action is on another level and the romantic track with Shah Rukh and Kajol is very intense.

You’ve been an assistant director of My Name is Khan. How was Shah Rukh on the sets as a co-star?
There are so many things. He is so chivalrous, so humble. Once he is on the set, he doesn’t leave that place at all. He is there 24/7 and does a lot of rehearsals with the actors. There is a genuine openness for art and creativity when you are with him.

What about stardom have you learnt from Shah Rukh?
I learnt how not to take it for granted. You have to realise that somewhere you have a responsibility towards people. You can’t let them down.

There was a time when the audiences were forgiving but today, they can be rather ruthless if a film is bad…
Today, things have changed in that sense. I genuinely believe that people should support movies and not stars. If the film is good, enjoy that. Everyone puts in efforts to make a good film. But if the guy in the audience, who is putting his money to see it, is not enjoying himself then it’s not done. If tomorrow I do a bad film, I would say don’t support me.

Ranbir, Arjun were not spared by the audience after their respective duds. Alia’s Shaandaar didn’t do well either… Have you spoken to her?
I think there are ups and downs in everyone’s career. I try and learn from these things and I am sure it must have affected Alia. I haven’t spoken to her but I am sure she is fine.

Does your father (David Dhawan) have a say in the movies you sign?
He plays a role but our choices are very different. But today, he is the happiest man because I am doing a Rohit Shetty film.