Varun Badola On 'Stars Don't Matter Claim': 'Ahaan Does Not Have Personality To Run Jawan'

News18

2 days ago

The actor compared Ahaan Panday and Shah Rukh Khan while dismissing the ongoing debate over star power is still essential for a film's success
Varun Badola has recently opened up an ongoing debate about whether star power is still essential for a film's success. In a recent interview, the actor dismissed the claim that the success of certain content-driven films means audiences no longer need big stars. He was seen in Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda's Saiyaara, which has shattered all records.
In an interview with Nayandeep Rakshit on YouTube, Varun was quoted as saying, 'People are saying that this film has proven that we don't need stars anymore. That's not true. Abhi tum Ahaan Panday ko utha ke Jawan mein daalo, Jawan flop ho jayegi. Shah Rukh ko Saiyaara mein daal do, Saiyaara flop ho jayegi. Shah Rukh will suddenly become too big for the film, and Ahaan will not have the personality to run Jawan."
'I saw the euphoria on Instagram. Log jo chudiyaan tod rahe hai, chaatiyaan peet rahe hai (People were breaking their bangles, beating themselves). I think the promotions team went a little overboard there, where people are going to see the film, putting IV drips. Those people must have been told to give content in some way; thank god, people didn't get their legs broken and went crawling to see the film," he added.
Mohit Suri On Saiyaara:
Saiyaara has struck an emotional chord with audiences across the globe. The film's Indian box office collection has crossed Rs 300 crore, while the global total now stands above Rs 500 crore. Alongside Ahaan and Aneet, the ensemble cast includes Alam Khan, Sid Makkar, Shaan Groverr, Rajesh Kumar, and Varun Badola.
Speaking at the CNN-News18 Townhall, Mumbai edition, Mohit Suri said this wasn't some calculated gimmick or marketing trick. 'Script came first before the casting happened. We didn't shoot a single day till all the songs were recorded. Even the way the film was marketed or positioned. It's about 'let's talk about the content. Let's sell the story. Let's sell, not the actors, because they were new. This wasn't a marketing strategy. It was just going back to traditional ways of how newcomer films were marketed. Let the film speak.," he said.
The romantic drama follows Ahaan, a daring and struggling musician, and Aneet, a fiercely devoted writer, as their love is tested by life's trials in classic Mohit Suri style. The film explores themes of grief, sacrifice, and eternal love. Written by Rohan Shankar and Sankalp Sadanah, Saiyaara also features standout performances from Geeta Agrawal Sharma, Sid Makkar, Shaad Randhawa, Rajesh Kumar, and Varun Badola, marking the first collaboration between Mohit Suri and legendary production house Yash Raj Films.
Shah Rukh Khan's Jawan:
Recently, Shah Rukh Khan has bagged the prestigious National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Jawan, marking a significant moment in his 33-year-long film career. Directed by Atlee, stars Shah Rukh Khan in a dual role as lookalike father and son. The film also stars Nayanthara, Vijay Sethupathi, Priyamani, Sanya Malhotra, Sunil Grover, Ridhi Dopgra, and others. Deepika Padukone and Sanjay Dutt also had special appearances in the film. It released in theatres on September 7, 2023.
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