Varun Dhawan, the Bollywood hunk renowned for his endearing smile and flawless dance moves, started his career in the Indian film industry in 2012 with "Student of the Year." His early movies tended to be in the romantic-comedy subgenre, and he was frequently paired with the affable lover boy. But the movie "Badlapur" from 2015, which he directed, was the one that really changed his career. Varun Dhawan's versatility as an actor was on full display in this gritty, suspenseful thriller, which also disproved many of the ideas people had about him. We will explore the factors that made Varun Dhawan's career pivotal at the end of this article, as well as how the movie "Badlapur" shattered the romantic hero stereotype.
Varun Dhawan had established himself as Bollywood's archetypal romantic hero before "Badlapur." His prior works, including "Student of the Year," "Main Tera Hero," and "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania," had solidly established him as the go-to actor for upbeat, uplifting romantic comedies. His on-screen chemistry with leading ladies won over viewers, and he enjoyed a devoted fan base that was largely made up of young people and fans of rom-coms.
It was a risky move for an actor to enter a field that was so drastically different after finding such great success in one. This is where "Badlapur" entered the scene, shattering the image of the romantic-comedy king and exposing the actor's previously untapped depths.
A neo-noir crime drama with Varun Dhawan as its lead actor, "Badlapur" is directed by Sriram Raghavan and centers on Raghav "Raghu" Mishra. Raghu's wife, Misha, and their young son, Robin, are killed in a car accident and a brutal bank robbery in the opening scene of the movie. Liak (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) and Harman (Vinay Pathak) are the criminals responsible for this heinous act.
The story jumps forward 15 years, and Raghu, driven by rage and an unquenchable thirst for vengeance, sets out to find and exact revenge on those responsible for the murder of his family. The narrative of the movie revolves around Raghu's transformation from a devoted husband and father into a vengeful, icy vigilante. Varun Dhawan's transformation distinguishes "Badlapur" from his previous roles.
The role of Raghu in "Badlapur" marked a dramatic departure for Varun Dhawan from his earlier ones. In order to fully inhabit the complex persona of a grieving husband seeking vengeance, he shed his charming and boyish appearance. The genre itself underwent a significant change during this transition, not just the character. In Bollywood, where actors were frequently typecast based on their lucrative roles, "Badlapur" challenged the accepted norms.
Varun Dhawan's emotional range was mainly called for when he appeared in romantic comedies to convey happiness, love, and playfulness. The emotional range was broad for "Badlapur," on the other hand. It was necessary for Dhawan to portray extreme sorrow, rage, and vengeance, which he accomplished with remarkable intensity.
Physical Change: Dhawan underwent a physical change in order to portray Raghu in a convincing manner. He developed a beard, took on a more solemn demeanor, and showed a more mature physicality, all of which helped to make his character seem more real.
Raghu's character arc in "Badlapur" was complex and had many facets. Dhawan had to expertly navigate this difficult transition from a bereaved husband to a merciless assassin. In a convincing way, he portrayed Raghu's transformation, demonstrating his ability to grow as an actor.
Lack of Heroic Glamour: Unlike most Bollywood heroes, Raghu did not possess heroic qualities or a larger-than-life persona. The fact that he was a flawed and morally dubious protagonist made the movie more realistic and relatable.
Darker Themes: "Badlapur" explored more sinister subjects like retaliation, guilt, and the results of violence. Varun Dhawan made a brave decision to stray from the lighthearted romantic comedies because it showed his willingness to take chances as an actor.
In addition to defying stereotypes, "Badlapur" was well received by critics and performed well at the box office. Varun Dhawan's performance was lauded by critics, who referred to it as a career breakthrough for him. Both audiences and critics found the movie's gritty, suspenseful plot and compelling performance by Dhawan to be compelling.
The success of "Badlapur" at the box office shows that viewers were open to Varun Dhawan's other side. It proved that Bollywood was capable of embracing diverse storytelling and characters in addition to the usual romantic formulas.
Varun Dhawan still views "Badlapur" as a defining moment in his career. It gave him access to more varied roles and solidified his reputation as a multifaceted actor in the business. He continued to shine in romantic comedies, but he also accepted parts in movies like "October" (2018) and "Sui Dhaaga" (2018), showcasing his versatility.
Varun Dhawan's shift from romantic comedies to the gripping crime drama "Badlapur" was a turning point in his acting career. His acting versatility was highlighted in this movie, shattering preconceptions about his acting prowess. Dhawan challenged the idea of the romantic hero by taking on the role of Raghu, a bereaved husband turned assassin, and he also demonstrated that he possessed the skills and versatility to succeed in a variety of genres. Varun Dhawan will always be associated with "Badlapur" as the movie that inspired him to pursue acting in new directions and cemented his status as a multifaceted performer in Bollywood.
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