Varun Sharma spills the beans on Fukrey 4!

Varun Sharma

is basking in the success of

Fukrey

3 and is taking in all the love coming his way. His character of

Choocha

has become iconic, which the youth strongly resonates with. In an exclusive chat with ETimes, Varun Sharma opens up about debuting as Choocha a decade ago, how fame has changed things, plans for Fukrey 4 and much more…
How much are you enjoying the success?
It's a great, great feeling.

I think with the kind of love the film is getting and the kind of numbers, it's showing that the amount of love that the film is getting is just phenomenal. And I think we are really happy. We were always hoping to meet the expectations of the audience who have loved the first two parts and they shower the same love in the third one. And with the grace of God, we managed to achieve that. The entire gang is super thrilled, super excited. And there is a group that we have, which is buzzing right now.
Beyond the success, are you feeling the pressure of expectations with your future projects?

I think yes, but to be very honest, we are not thinking of that. That will probably hit us after like 10 days. Because right now, what we have aspired, what we have always prayed and hoped for in the past four years is taking place. We are just enjoying the process and not thinking about anything. After 10 days we are going to wonder what we can do better than this.
How close is Choocha to your real self?
I am very close. I really resonate with Choocha because that is something that I debuted with. That character gave me the wings to be in the industry, to showcase my talent. And I am happy that it's got acceptance. The biggest achievement for any actor is to be accepted and loved by the audience. And I feel really fortunate that it happened with me right from the first character, right from the first film. So it's just a great feeling to have.

The box office game is very unpredictable these days, and Fukrey 3 arrived when Jawan, Gadar 2 and other movies were already dominating theatres. Were you all worried about the reception?
No, no, not at all. I think we've always wanted Fukrey 3 to be theatrical. Of course, there was a little bit of shift in dates that happened for us. But I think whatever happens, happens for the good. We were very happy and thrilled for the trailer to be attached with Jawan and showcasing the world with Jawan. And it's a great time for the industry where so many films are doing such amazing business and people are coming back to cinemas and enjoying. The feeling of collective viewing is back. So it's a great feeling to have and I think it's a great time to kind of come.
One decade of Choocha, how does that feel?
I think it's just a great feeling that the amount of love that Choocha got in 2013 is getting the same amount of love in 2023. And more importantly, I think the pressure is a little relieved because there are certain expectations that people have from Fukrey, from the characters. And our only hope and prayer was to match the expectations of the audience. And now that we have seen the reactions, we're happy that we could match the expectations and kind of hopefully surpass that. So that is the biggest achievement I feel as actors, as makers of the franchise.
How are the group of friends beyond the camera?
We are just like a hardcore, thick family beyond the camera. We shot the film in a minimum temperature of 45 degrees but still everyone was sticking together, not getting irritated. Even in that much heat we had rallies, we managed to be by each other's side and to have a smooth process, we had no inhibitions amongst each other, we were having each other's back all throughout.
Will there be Fukrey 4?
We're really hoping and praying that Fukrey 4 happens and happens super soon. So I'm also manifesting it, throwing it out there in the universe and really hoping and praying that it happens.
Fukrey 3 is doing well at the box office, how important are the numbers for you?
It is important, not for the number game but it shows how many people have watched the film. The amount of love that people have got and I take it in a manner. The numbers cannot happen if the film is not accepted well or if the word of mouth is not too strong. So for me, box office numbers are important because you reach out to as many people, trying to entertain as much as possible and gathering that kind of love and spreading happiness and laughter.
You debuted with Fukrey, how did Choocha and the popularity of the franchise determine your career?
I love the comedy genre way too much. And I think there's a lot of love that I've got for the genre. And I think it's because of Fukrey, because of Choocha, that I got the films that I did after like

Dilwale

, Kis Kis Ko Pyar Karoon, Dolly Ki Doli. It was all because of Choocha. Then Roohi came, which was absolutely in a bizarre space where my character falls in love with a ghost. So I'm very happy that I'm getting a chance to explore different dimensions in the same genre, you know. But at the same time, the constant change is to also look out for different genres and kind of look out to do some thrillers and some gray shade roles because that's another thing which really fascinates me. So hopefully soon, yeah, getting a chance to explore that section and that genre will be very interesting.
How has fame changed your life?
It's not changed life at all. It's basically when people see you, they want to meet and click pictures. It's a way of showing that they love you. And I think every actor works towards this thing to be loved. Recently when I went to Gaiety-Galaxy, there were so many people who came to me, I just interacted with them and I felt blessed. People have a smile on their face when they see me and they treat me as ghar ka bachcha. It's like homecoming. So, you know, no one addresses me as sir, every day its like ‘Arey bhai kaan ja rahe ho? Kya ho rahe hai? Arey, aap yeh kar rahe ho? Bhai, maine wo dekha’. Mujhe woh bada sahi lagta hai. And I think this has happened with all the characters for Fukrey, because of the relatability factor. There is a Choocha in every group, which resonates with the people.
Also, a decade in acting... is there something you would want to do differently?
Actually, I didn't plan anything. It just happened, by the minute, by the day. I just work very honestly and I try to do things, whatever I am told in the most honest manner possible. I think I would not want to change anything and would still want to just take every day by the day it comes and not really plan anything.
What next after Fukrey?
I really can't talk about the title and everything but I've finished one film with Maddock, Mr Dinesh Vijan is producing it. And then there's another project that I've finished, which is being produced by Mr Luv Ranjan. And then there's something that I'm starting probably next month.