Bollywood star Varun Dhawan recently revealed a transformative period in his life that left his father, director David Dhawan, notably concerned. During his portrayal of a dark character in the film ‘Badlapur’, Varun experienced a shift in his personality that even bled into his personal life, creating a rift between his onscreen and offscreen personas.
On Thursday, Varun Dhawan attended the special teaser launch event of his upcoming spy action streaming show ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ at the Mehboob Studios in Bandra West, Mumbai. Accompanied by his co-star Samantha Ruth Prabhu, the show creators Raj & DK, and the music director duo Sachin-Jigar, Varun sat down for an engaging session with the media, where he discussed the intense preparations and emotional toll his past roles have had on him.
Varun Dhawan opened up about the psychological impact of his character in the 2015 revenge drama ‘Badlapur’, directed by Sriram Raghavan, best known for ‘Andhadhun’. The film, neo-noir in genre, was based on the novel ‘Death’s Dark Abyss’ by Italian writer Massimo Carlotto. Co-starring talents like Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Huma Qureshi, Yami Gautam, Vinay Pathak, Kumud Mishra, Divya Dutta, and Radhika Apte, ‘Badlapur’ was notable for its dark narrative and intense character portrayals.
Varun revealed that while playing the role opposite Nawazuddin Siddiqui, his immersion into the character started affecting his everyday behavior, causing a noticeable shift in his personality. “I started behaving differently during the making of ‘Badlapur’ and the character triggered a change in me,” Varun confessed. This transformation wasn’t just limited to the sets; it transcended into his personal life, creating a complex interplay between his real and reel selves.
The emotional and psychological upheaval was so significant that it sparked concern from his father, David Dhawan. Known for his light-hearted comedies, David was reportedly disturbed by the dark turn his son’s demeanor had taken following the role. However, this didn’t discourage Varun from taking on challenging roles in the future.
Speaking of his role in ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, Varun acknowledged that this too was a character residing in a ‘dark space’, albeit not as haunting as his role in ‘Badlapur’. The show’s narrative involves high-octane spy action, with Varun sharing the screen with Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who plays a significant role in the series.
Interestingly, David Dhawan expressed his admiration for Varun’s dedication and professionalism in bringing his new character to life in ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’.
. This was a stark contrast from his previous apprehension during the ‘Badlapur’ days. According to Varun, his father now appreciates the artistic commitment required to portray complex characters authentically.
Further into the event, Varun spilled some beans about the anticipated spy action show. He highlighted a particularly challenging one-take action sequence lasting for an uninterrupted twelve minutes, applauding the efforts that went into its execution.
Praised for its thrilling content, ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’, which serves as the Indian installment of the global streaming series ‘Citadel’, promises to keep viewers on the edge with its exhilarating moments and intense action sequences. The one-take scene stands out as a testament to the show’s dedication to delivering high-quality suspense and drama.
Varun took a moment to commend his co-star Samantha Ruth Prabhu, who underwent strenuous physical training for the series despite grappling with a medical condition. “She has inspired me, the creators, and put up a terrific show,” Varun remarked, adding that Samantha’s commitment to her role outshined even his own preparations.
The actor’s candid revelations offered a glimpse into the often-unseen burdens faced by actors submerged in method acting. It showcased how deeply intertwined an actor’s personal and professional lives can become, especially when portraying intense, dark characters. As Varun Dhawan moves forward, both he and fans hope that his journey in ‘Citadel: Honey Bunny’ will be a rewarding and transformative experience, albeit a more positive one than during ‘Badlapur’.
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