Varun’s a good student

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He experienced a truly successful debut with Student of the Year and now Varun Dhawan is ready for his next cinematic caper — Main Tera Hero. The actor insists that the film is particularly close to his heart. “To be directed by my father, David Dhawan, for the first time ever makes this project incredibly special. At the same time, it’ll ensure that I’m on my toes too,” he says with a smile.

Not just his dad, the buzz in the industry is that the Queen Bee — Ekta Kapoor herself — has placed her bets on Varun by producing Main Tera Hero. Considering that Ekta’s most recent projects include big budget blockbusters like Shootout At Wadala and Once upon A Time In Mumbaai, is Varun feeling the pressure of many expectations? “To be trusted by producers like Ekta and Karan Johar does bring along a huge amount of pressure,” admits Varun. “The struggle to live up to the expectations just doesn’t let you be. At the same time, the struggle to outdo your own self gives an immense high.” And of course, being his producers’ favourite is a win-win situation.
Varun tells us that he’s had a wonderful role model for his Bollywood journey in actors like Salman Khan, who have worked with David Dhawan. “I’ve grown up watching actors like Salman work two-three shifts a day. Salman has done multiple films with my father and I can vouch for his hard work and dedication. I want to follow his style and the focus he has towards his work. If I’m able to achieve even half of it, I’ll consider myself extremely fortunate,” Varun tells us.
Well, in his bid to follow his idol, Varun is emulating not just Salman’s dedication to work — he has acquired the Dabangg Khan’s ladies’ man image as well. Does that ever make things uncomfortable between Varun and his father? “I’m not comfortable with the title of being a ladies man,” Varun says. “My father was strict with my brother (Rohit Dhawan) and me throughout our childhood. But now, we’re both allowed to make our own choices — on personal and professional fronts. I don’t have to consult my father before signing a film. But I know that I can bank on him, if the need arises. I’d rather make my own mistakes and learn from them.”
Okay, perhaps he’s not a ladies’ man but what about those persistent reports linking him up to his pretty SOTY co-star Aalia Bhatt? “I’ve read about my supposed love affair with Aalia. But I’d like to set the record straight. I’m not dating Aalia. I’m very much single,” he asserts.
Varun’s popularity has been compared to the hype that Salman created after Maine Pyar Kiya. Every new actress wants to work with him. Who’s the one he thinks would make a great pair with him? “I think Aalia, Huma Qureshi and Parineeti Chopra have a really bright future,” says Varun, pat. “I’m working with Nargis Fakhri in Main Tera Hero so I’m hoping that our onscreen chemistry works. There is so much talent in the industry, it’s difficult to pick one name!”