MUMBAI, MAHARASHTRA: In a candid and emotional conversation with Bollywood Bubble, actor Rajpal Yadav shared his thoughts on the recent box office failure of ‘Baby John‘ and how it has affected his colleague, actor Varun Dhawan.
Yadav, who has worked with Dhawan in the past, expressed deep concern over the toll such setbacks can take on an actor’s mental health, shedding light on the pressures and emotional strain that often go unnoticed.
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Rajpal Yadav reflects on the emotional toll of Baby John‘s failure on Varun Dhawan
The failure of ‘Baby John,’ directed by Atlee, has been a significant moment in Dhawan’s career. Despite his previous successes, the film’s underperformance has led to considerable discussions within the industry.
In his interview, Yadav revealed that the toll this failure has taken on Dhawan has been particularly hard to handle, with depression being a major consequence of the setback.
Yadav, who has witnessed Dhawan’s journey closely, praised the actor for his dedication to taking on diverse and challenging roles.
He acknowledged the immense courage it takes to step out of one’s comfort zone and take risks in an industry known for its high stakes and constant scrutiny.
However, Yadav also emphasized the emotional cost that comes with such risks, noting that failure, while inevitable in some cases, can deeply affect an actor’s sense of self-worth and mental stability.
“Varun is a very sweet guy. And is very hardworking. And look at his hard work in this new era, where life has almost entered the metaverse. In the past 10 years, if you’ve seen Varun Dhawan’s films, with regards to the typecasting you mentioned, Varun has consistently tried to do something different at every turn,” Yadav said.
He added, “And his efforts have been appreciated. He deserves blessings and praise for those efforts. Taking risks is a very difficult task in this world.”
Rajpal Yadav draws parallels between Varun Dhawan and Shah Rukh Khan
Drawing a parallel to the career of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, Yadav noted that both Khan and Dhawan have shared a similar approach to their craft—experimenting with diverse roles while balancing commercial hits.
Yadav remarked, “Shah Rukh Khan and Varun Dhawan have similar acting journeys. “And when someone goes to different corners and takes risks, it’s like Shah Rukh Khan—who made films under his banner.”
He went on, “While he used to do commercial films, he experimented with movies like Paheli, Ashoka, and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani. By doing such varied experiments, he became a great artist. Similarly, in the last 10 years, Varun Dhawan, starting with Student of the Year, has made remarkable choices.”
Varun Dhawan calls for change in Bollywood
In a previous discussion with Ranveer Allahabadia, Dhawan highlighted the necessity for change within Bollywood, urging industry leaders to evolve in order to remain relevant.
He commended stars like Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir for staying humble and in tune with shifts in the industry. Dhawan also noted the growing challenges faced by newcomers, who are now exploring career paths in acting, OTT platforms, or as influencers.
