Varun Dhawan opened up about his experience working in the action-packed project Citadel: Honey Bunny and how the South Indian film industry has been taking notice of his work. Dhawan shared his gratitude towards South filmmakers and actors, acknowledging the recognition and opportunities he’s received from them in recent times.
Reflecting on his time shooting for Citadel, Dhawan humorously recounted the behind-the-scenes moments, including the frequent presence of Amazon’s security team.He joked about his interaction with a security officer, saying, “Anywhere we would shoot, there would be one guy from Amazon who would come and say, ‘I’m here for your security.’ I would say, ‘I can see what security you’re giving me.’ But the real question was, ‘Did you enjoy it, Varun?’ And I definitely did. It was a wake-up call for me.”
Dhawan emphasized that the South Indian film industry has been giving him great opportunities, particularly in action films. He expressed his excitement about working with prominent Indian filmmakers such as Raj and DK, as well as his upcoming projects with directors like Atlee and Kirti. Dhawan also mentioned his co-star Janhvi Kapoor, playfully referring to her South Indian heritage.
“A lot of people are starting to take notice, and right now, I feel that it’s mostly the South Indian industry recognizing me and giving me great opportunities in action, which is true. I started working with Raj and DK, and next, I’m working with Atlee and Kirti. Even Janhvi is kind of South Indian, so cheers to that! I hope this paves the way for more opportunities, and I trust that more people will take notice and give me a chance,” he said at the trailer launch event.
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Varun then recalled a conversation with Aditya Chopra during the pandemic, where he asked the producer why younger actors were not being cast in big-budget action films. Chopra told Dhawan that it wasn’t about his talent but rather about budget constraints. This led Dhawan to become more aware of the financial aspects of making large-scale action films, knowledge he put to use when collaborating on Citadel.
Dhawan concluded by expressing his appreciation for Amazon and creators Raj and DK for giving him the opportunity to shine in a larger-than-life action role. He noted that creating a visually stunning action film requires significant resources, and he is grateful for the support he received. “I’m really grateful that y’all put in that much strength and the science,” Dhawan said.
