Shah Rukh Khan Was The Inspiration For This Popular Bollywood Actor

Actor Varun Sharma has made a name for himself in the comedy genre with roles in films such as Fukrey (2013) and Dilwale (2015). Just as his character in Fukrey had a dream, that of getting admission to college, Varun himself had a dream, that of entering the world of cinema.

He reveals that acting in films was his childhood dream, thanks to actor Shah Rukh Khan. “I was six or seven years old when I was watching Baazigar on TV once, and the song Kaali Kaali Aankhen (featuring Shah Rukh and Kajol) came on. I started dancing and singing loudly, and went up to my mother and told her that I wanted to become an actor. She told me, ‘Beta, jo banna hai ban.’ That’s where it all started for me.”

Guess what was his first role? Playing a tree in a school play! “I hail from Jalandhar, and went to school there. Once, a school play casting was going on, and upon asking which role I could play, I was told that only one role was available — that of a tree! I took it up readily and watched the entire play fascinated [while standing on stage as the tree],” says Varun, 27, who’ll be seen next in Fukrey Returns.

He adds, “I went on to pursue my graduation in filmmaking, and did plays, too, at the national level. But the surprising bit is that I always did serious roles! I had never done a single comedy role until I was offered Fukrey. It was only after the film, and [when] my role of Choocha was appreciated, that I realised I liked this genre.”