Varun Dhawan: Our filmmakers and industry need to pull up their socks

The Hindi film industry needs to examine and evaluate the type of content it is producing, according to actor Varun Dhawan, who believes the pandemic has hurt theatrical business around the world. Only three Hindi films, Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files, and Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, have become commercial successes in 2022, whereas SS Rajamouli's Telugu epic RRR, Kannada actioner KGF Chapter 2, and Allu Arjun's Telugu film Pushpa: The Rise Part 1 have set new box office records in North India.

Filmmakers, according to Varun, must re-establish their relationship with audiences, who are now spoiled for choice thanks to digital platforms and pan-India theatrical releases. In an interview with PTI, the actor stated that we recently experienced a pandemic. As a result, one will be able to witness films that were filmed many years ago. These aren't movies that have just begun. But he asked if our filmmakers, our industry, needed to get their act together and said that is something they must do.

The 35-year-old actor believes the pandemic has hurt the theatre industry around the world. He went on to say that the film industry as a whole needs to get its act together. If one tallies the number of flops that Hollywood has produced, it is enormous. Count the number of films that have performed poorly in the South and you will see that the Hindi film industry has taken a hit. Going to the movies is a public activity that has also been criticised, and that habit was broken. They are working on re-establishing that connection right now. He also said it's possible to make better movies.

Varun, who has starred in blockbusters such as Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Badrinath Ki Dulhania, Judwaa 2 and ABCD 2, believes that the current environment necessitates more innovative collaborations with talents from across the country. He shared that they need to start investing in new talent, including writers, directors, producers, and performers, in his opinion. They need to start looking at the talent pool across the country. Because it is now possible, he wants to work with a filmmaker from Bengal, Kerala, and artists from all over the world to tell a story.

The popularity of South Indian films has made "pan-India" a catchphrase in the industry, but the actor claims that the audience reach of OTT platforms isn't confined to national borders. Varun stated that currently, streaming is available not only in India but also around the world. When he was filming Bawaal in Germany, he was taken aback by the number of individuals who approached him and asked about his films, especially Sui Dhaaga. The world is getting smaller and smaller.

The film Jugjugg Jeeyo, directed by Raj Mehta, is set to hit theatres on June 24. The film stars Kiara Advani, Anil Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, and Maniesh Paul, and is produced by Karan Johar's Dharma Productions.