From auditions to narrations

Varun Sharma

Varun Sharma's is that classic story of an outsider giving countless auditions and facing rejections until he finds his feet in the movie industry. Undoubtedly, the turning point for him was Fukrey (2013). A decade on, as he reprises his role of the much-loved Choocha in Fukrey 3, the actor reflects on how he and the Mrighdeep Singh Lamba-helmed franchise have come a long way.

"Ten years ago, I'd stand outside casting directors' offices to give that one screen test. I've been rejected a lot of times, even thrown out of projects. Fukrey happened through an audition. It's because of this film that I saw my face on a film's poster for the first time. With it, my life moved from an audition to narration to everything that lay beyond," he beams.

Sharma then featured in several hits, including Dilwale (2015) and Chhichhore (2019). The actor believes his journey is also a marker of how Bollywood has become democratic in the past decade, rewarding talent above all else. "As an outsider, I think the industry welcomes you with open arms. It just needs you to be at it, and not give up."

One assumes that playing Choocha must be a cakewalk for Sharma, after embracing the role in the past two instalments. It isn't, he says. "I was 22 when we started Fukrey. I was raw, imperfect, flawed, and goofy. In the past decade, I have grown as an artiste. Every director has taught me so much about my craft. But for Choocha, I had to unlearn everything [and be raw again]."