There are many interesting choices in Varun Tej’s filmography. Not all of them might have worked but there’s a perceptible effort to explore new genres and stand out from the clutter. “I’m very clear that I shouldn’t do the kind of films that all my contemporaries are doing,” he said ahead of the release of Gandeevadhari Arjuna, an action thriller, in August 2023. The film didn’t work. Likewise, Antariksham 9000 KMPH (2018), a thriller set in space, and Ghani (2022), a sports drama, too backfired at the box office, while crowd-pullers films he has been a part of, such as Fida (2017) and Gaddalakonda Ganesh (2019) rewarded him fittingly.
When his attempts to do something novel don’t yield the desired results, doesn’t he feel tempted to embrace the other, historically more rewarding side of cinema? He pauses before answering the question. “The rate of success for experimental films and commercial films is the same, I believe. People need to understand that it’s a mammoth task to make a successful commercial film. I think it’s harder than making an experimental film because you have to hold the film with a small emotion and heroism, while also catering to a wider based of audience. It’s a very tough job. And I wouldn’t call these experiments my comfort zone either. Even when I did F2, F3 and Gaddalakonda Ganesh, I felt comfortable.”
Varun goes on to share that it’s important to explore different genres. “I believe that we have to keep pushing boundaries. God has put me in this place, as an actor and gave me a decent market and good directors to work with. I also think about what I’m contributing to my craft and my industry. Also, I cannot push the boundaries every time and sometimes, I have to play it to the gallery. Once in a while, though, when you get a story like Anatariksham or Operation Valentine, I want to do them. As an actor, I feel passionate about making such films. You also get to explore different characters, learn the craft more, and become versatile over time. And I believe that if an actor wants to have a long haul, they need to be versatile. If you see big stars like Aamir Khan, Chiranjeevi garu and Kamal Haasan garu, they are incredibly versatile. I seek inspiration from them, but ultimately everyone wants success.”
The biggest takeaway for Varun from Operation Valentine and interacting with Air Force officers during the film’s production is something beyond acting and work. It’s about life. “By default, sitting here in Hyderabad, I had an assumption that all the soldiers and officers, who oversee matters of national security, were very serious and stubborn people. But when I met them, I learned that they are 100% serious about their job but are extremely jovial and funny about other things. When I expressed my surprise, an officer told me, ‘Varun, when we go on missions, each pilot in the air is responsible for others’ lives, and the RADAR control officer on the ground is responsible for all of our lives. We have seen our best friends die in front of us and it could have been us, any day. When you see death so close and come home, all the conflicts, like fights with friends and other challenges, look insignificant to us. We don’t hold on to those grievances because we know the real value of life.’ I took these words seriously. For instance, when a film of mine doesn’t do well, it hurts but it’s important to move on and see the bigger picture. I gave the example of a movie but I think it applies to everything and everyone. Take your job seriously but don’t let the small things affect you.”