Actor Varun Sharma has reflected on the first quarter of the 21st century, sharing insights about his journey and the significant evolution of Indian cinema over the past 25 years.
A Humbling Journey
For Varun, this period has been both humbling and motivating, as audiences have embraced his performances across various genres. This acceptance has allowed him to grow as an actor without being typecast.
Unprecedented Evolution in Indian Cinema
According to Varun, the last 25 years have marked an era of remarkable change in Indian cinema. He stated, “The grammar of storytelling changed in Hindi cinema but it also managed to retain its core essence. Filmmakers reinvented existing genres and infused them with their own style. Technically, all departments took major strides.”
Varun, who first gained recognition for his role as Choocha in “Fukrey,” noted the introduction of the Rs. 100-crore benchmark, a new standard redefining box office success.
“The Rs. 100 crore film became the benchmark to judge the success of a film at the box office and introduced a whole new idiom. Today, people who are not part of the industry are invested in the business of cinema, which has been a major change,” he explained.
Global Reach with Local Essence
He believes that Indian cinema has successfully reached a global audience while still retaining its local flavor, marking yet another achievement for the industry.
Personal Milestones
Reflecting on his personal journey, Varun shared his entry into the industry came 13 years into the century and expressed gratitude for how audiences have embraced his work.
“I kicked off my journey 13 years into the 21st century, and the way the audience has embraced my films and my performances has been very humbling for me. Today people are not stereotyped according to the roles that you play,” he said, having made his Hindi cinema debut in 2013.
He added, “A good actor is just that, and filmmakers cast you irrespective of the genres you have excelled in. I believe I am just getting started and have miles to go.”
Future of Filmmaking
Looking ahead, Varun feels the next 25 years will be shaped by technology in filmmaking.
“AI, VFX, and other technological advancements will dictate how we make our films. We are in the digital age, which means it’s not just about making films but also the dissemination of content, which will be a game changer,” he noted. Varun is gearing up for his upcoming film “Rahu Ketu.”