Throwback: Varun Dhawan had to learn about anguish and desperation for Badlapur – Times of India

Varun’s father David Dhawan was deeply concerned about what this dark role of a suffering, traumatized, vengeful man was doing to his son. “Varun had grown a beard to look convincing as the character he played was older than him. On top of that he maintained a certain melancholic mood, which worried me and my wife. But when we saw what he had achieved we were all for it.”

Varun himself was unsure if he would be able carry off the role of Raghu, who loses his wife and son and plans an elaborate revenge on the wrongdoers. He was constantly edgy and nervous. He looked through friends at public places. He would cry for no reason.

Director Sriram Raghavan, who earlier made edgy dark thrillers Ek Haseena Thi, Johnny Gaddar and Agent Vinod, admitted Varun had a tough time getting a grip on the role. Varun had never suffered the kind of loss and hurt that his character went through. He told Raghavan about how he never lost a close one. Varun needed to understand the anguished grief and desperation of the character.

The solution was to get close to grief that Varun had never experienced. Raghavan had revealed that Varun met people who had lost someone very dear, just like his character in Badlapur did. As the actor became familiar with bereavement it began to take over his psyche.

Director Sriram Raghavan was sure Varun could pull it off. And he did.