BEHIND THE SCENES: VARUN & SHRADDHA

BEHIND THE SCENES: VARUN & SHRADDHA

We got chatting with the lead roles of the sequel to India’s first 3D dance movie (ABCD), ABCD2, and found out about their unnerving emotions now that the film is set to release this weekend. It was Varun Dhawan and Shraddha Kapoor who shared with us their thoughts on this totally new venture in their careers.

Q. Now that the film is ready in all aspects and the final product will be out there shortly, what is going on inside?

Varun: I am trying not to think about it because the more I realise that Friday is about to come, the more nervous I get. But more than Friday, I am excited about Monday because it’s only the film that takes it forward from that point onwards, irrespective of the grand opening, which is also one thing I am praying for. But most of all, I want that when someone watches the film, they love it so much that they recommend it to their friends also so I want that kind of an audience feedback because public opinion is the be all end all and it really matters to me.

Q. Be it social media or other forums, people seem to have loved the promos and songs.How satisfied are you regarding the kind of attention this film has already got?

Shraddha: Personally, I believe that when you’re travelling to and fro places and meeting people on the airports, etc. and they tell you that they are eagerly waiting for my film and really looking forward to it, that’s a very good sign. I feel glad when I see people telling me that they are excited about the film and when our trailers and songs get millions of views online.

Varun: From a marketing point of view, this film will not just benefit us but the whole industry because we have tried a lot of new things in the film so in a way, we are the flag-bearers of this new market that was untapped before. Disney came up with a brilliant marketing idea of bringing up ‘Jaipur can Dance’ or ‘Agra can Dance’ and held contests where the city’s best dancers came forth. The film is for the people and hence the involvement of the audience at each part has been important to us. It’s straight from the heart, so we all hope this works.

Q. Have people been trying to reach you differently to appreciate your efforts in the film?

Shraddha: Yes! We have been getting videos from people; someone has been dancing on ‘chunar’ and ‘sun saathiya’. One time, we got a video of a kid who wasn’t ready to eat until a song from the film was played for him. People from various places have been tweeting this videos, our friends have been showing us such videos and it’s so nice to see such little kids trying to dance. So in all, it has been very positive and encouraging for us.

Q. Varun, your chiselled body is evident in the film. What’s the secret behind that?

Varun (jokingly points towards the pizza in front of him): For six months, I worked very hard for this film because I had to be in the best of shape to be a dancer. This has been the toughest film so far. These boys have such a constant body shape that even if they eat as many slices of pizza, not an inch will come out from anywhere. So I have really worked a lot to achieve a dancer’s body and currently I’m on a break so this feels good as well.

Q. You’ve tried out dance forms that you never did before. Be it lyrical, contemporary or house, what new technical terms have you learnt from over the course of dancing?

Shraddha: Speaking of technique, I was trying to get a full split for a scene when I got all excited and went for it in just three days, and it so happened that the split didn’t come out right so I had a partial muscle tear after that. But yes, I have done pirouettes and developes in the film and learnt so many different styles. At the end of the day, I just hope that all professional dancers are convinced by us and truly love the film.

Q. You are dancing with what we can say ‘the best lot of dancers’ from the country so were there any apprehensions about that?

Shraddha: Yes, I was a bit apprehensive and nervous on realising that I have to match steps with such great dancers and even though their level of dancing is far beyond my reach, I wanted to take the risk and give it shot. It hasn’t been easy, but with the kind of support and training all of them have given both of us; we believe we have tried doing utmost justice to our roles.

Varun: You know the film is about a group. It’s never about one person being the best and outshining all, it’s about the team looking good together so that when people watch them, they say this team truly deserves to go to the world dancing championship. It’s not that only I and Shraddha are in the centre, everyone has got their fair chance to come forward and do what they do best; dance.

Q. Shraddha, you started form ‘teen patti’ and looking at you now it definitely feels like you’ve raised a bar for yourself. How has the journey been so far?

Shraddha: I feel really blessed and happy. But right at this moment, after giving our all to ABCD2, giving six straight months to rehearsals and slogging day in day out, there a sense of a deep emotion running inside everyone and with just three days left for the release, all I feel is the film itself moving in my head. I think that getting a full on dance movie and having an important role to play in it is itself a big privilege that Remo sir has given me. This film is not just a 3D dance movie; it’s based on a true story, a journey from Nala Supara to Las Vegas so a lot has been at stake and I want it to shine its way to glory. All in all, I feel very fortunate for this life.

Q. Who is your dance guru when it comes to learning and following them?

Varun: They are many that I’ve followed since childhood. But undoubtedly, it’s Govinda, Prabhu Deva. There’s even Chris Brown and Usher because I watch them a lot and love their style of dancing.

It was great fun interviewing Varun and Shraddha. Both of them have put in their heart and soul in the newest venture which will hit theatres this Friday. Let’s hope all goes well and they keep prospering.

Picture Credits: Sunny Mathews