I was really surprised when I was approached for my wax statue: Varun Dhawan

17/10/2017

2017 started on a high note for him with Badrinath Ki Dulhania entering the Rs 100 crore club. In the fifth year of his Bollywood journey, Varun Dhawan has scored another 100 crore-grosser with Judwaa 2. Now, the actor has another feather in his cap – he will have his wax statue at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong early next year.
With back-to-back 100 crore films, a strong line up of new films and now a wax statue, do you feel you are at a career high?
I strongly feel that there’s still a lot of work to be done and we also have a lot of catching up to do as an industry. As a person, I don’t like thinking individually about my success. I am very happy and grateful [for the successes] and hopefully, I would be able to give everyone - audiences, exhibitors, distributors, producers and directors - much more happiness.
You must be really kicked about your Madame Tussauds debut…
It was quite surprising for me when I was approached for it. I remember – as a kid – whenever I would go for holidays, I used to visit Madame Tussauds and click pictures of Mahatma Gandhi’s statue. So, it’s a huge deal to be the youngest actor from India to get his own [wax] statue.
With your wax statue, you join an esteemed list of people. Does it give you an extra kick?
It’s definitely an esteemed list but I’ve made way into it because I did things my way. I’m going to continue down that road and not change [my path] now just because people feel that I have become a bigger star. I will always do things my way.
As you get a wax statue, do you think it’s an indicator of your rising popularity?
One thing that I am absolutely aware of is that it has become possible only because of the fans. They wanted it so [Madame Tussauds officials] made it happen. As an actor, I always want to do films for all demographics and entertain people across the globe.
Many feel that you have a ‘connect’ with the audience…
I feel when I make a decision to do a film or anything else, they [people] realise why I have done it and that happens without me having to explain it to them. So, it is more of a spiritual thing than anything else.
Before Judwaa 2’s release, trade felt that industry was going through a gloomy period. Was that playing on your mind?
Yes, to some extent, it was. But Sajid (Nadiadwala; producer) sir was quite bullish. He and my dad (David Dhawan; director) were very happy, and that was the best part. So, in a way, the conviction level of people whom I was working with was so high that it somewhere rubbed off on me as well.
Is it true that your parents still worry about you?
Like other parents and kids, I have the most special connection with them. But I don’t know why they worry about me. My dad, for one, feels that koi bhi mere ko ullu bana dega (laughs). He feels I can get really fooled, and so people can make me do something [that I shouldn’t do] and that I will just believe anyone.
Your father David Dhawan and bother Rohit Dhawan are also part of the industry. In that sense, how are things at home?
Firstly, I don’t know why they feel that anyone can fool me (laughs). But I am as connected to my family as anyone else would be. My house is like any other ghar. What happens in most Indian houses also takes place at mine. Like most Indian kids, I have also got the same upbringing.
Even now, I don’t have crazy amount of liberties wherein I can do or say anything. So there’s nothing of that sort. For instance, Rohit and I aren’t allowed to abuse in the house, and I am sure it’s the same thing in most Indian households.

Photo Gallery

BSE Sensex

NSE Nifty