Lucknow lad actor Varun Joshi, who rose to fame after playing Manish in the television drama 'Yeh Hai Mohabbatein' on StarPlus. Varun recently was seen in a mythological daily soap Vighnaharta Ganesh on Sony TV. Varun couldn’t stop gushing over his city.

His daily routine is like “Early to bed and early to rise”. Varun gets up at 5:00 AM in the morning to go for a 3-5km walk which keeps him fit. Following it up with his protein breakfast, he makes it a point to never miss his gyming schedule at  5.30 AM in the morning and ending up day by 10.30 PM. 

Let’s go back to his childhood. Varun was of  the happy go lucky student type, like bunking classes, making excuses to step out of the class, sharing and eating lunchbox, praying that teacher gets absent and getting a free period, playing tic tac toe and football during intervals daily and before start of assembly.

Varun has completed his schooling starting from nursery to High school from St. Paul’s School Lucknow and Intermediate from H.A.L. Kendriya Vidyalaya Lucknow. He has shared one of his memories of school. When he was in 11^th standard and there was a career counseling event in his school. Dreaming to always become an actor and model, being a ardent Bollywood fan from childhood, he asked the counselor as to what he should do to become one. Everyone found that funny and were shocked as to what he had asked and were staring at him. However ,then a reply came from his most favorite English teacher Ms. Geeta Saini that this is not an acting modeling class. The next day his Dad was called to Principal’s office and Geeta Mam shared with him that aapka ladka padega nahi isko to Hero banna hai... But who knew He would become an actor one day. He remains in touch with his teacher till date even after his intermediate got over. She motivates him and prays for his success. “And believe me I am really proud to be a student of Geeta Saini Mam.”Says Varun.

He was like a gang leader and friendly with both school and college friends. A guy who always wanted to remain in limelight whether it was sports like football, cricket, boxing or mimicry and dancing. In fact, he has been credited with winning a few certificates and awards for his school and college too.

Besides being an actor , he is also an engineer having a B.Tech in Electronics Instrumentation and Control Engineering and  worked as a Software Engineer for big MNCs like HCL, Dell, Mind tree, Tech Mahindra.

Varun speaks about his dream career,   “I always wanted to become an actor but was afraid of my parents as they wanted me to become an engineer so without having adequate  support at that time I left my dream and started studying engineering and then joined a software engineering job”.

After having worked as an engineer for so many years ,he  was not feeling happy from within.  Whenever he would participate in any annual events or fashion show or mimic different actors, his many colleagues would say that you are so good looking and talented why don’t you go to Bollywood? But he thought they all are just pulling his leg. But one day he finally participated for Mr. Delhi 2017 and won 1^st Runner Up title that boosted his confidence a bit then and again participated in Mr. Elite North India 2017 (held in Dehradun) and won 1^st Runner up again. It was  then that it clicked that he should go to Mumbai further for try his luck in acting .Here he is now… doing good…and making it happen.

Challenges faced during transition of switching career?

There was a fall from a handsome package to 0. But somehow savings were there but there were times when even he survived in 30-40Rs per day in Vada Pav. There were times when he was pressurized by his family to quit acting as he was not paid well in the beginning and he would have to seek their support. Even there were few close friend who helped him at that time friend Dilip and Cousin Ghanshyam who helped him when he was planning to quit and motivated him that he is  doing good and so shouldn’t quit as he was very close to success and his goals. Tough times never lasts tough people do. Thanks to all supporters and fans for their support as because of them we are having such a versatile actor.

Having gone through the many ups – downs he now stands with an opportunity in the entertainment industry. His first role was paired opposite Jennifer Winget and having to flirt and dance with her. He was new having done just a 3-5 days workshop in his entire life in regards to acting. However deep inside  there was an actor who wanted to prove himself and  “Jo dil se nikalta hai wo acting hai” saying this started his journey. He gave his best shot and when he finally saw himself on TV Screen he was not able to believe himself!! It was an unbelievable moment for him!

Which of your roles till date got appreciated a lot and what efforts were needed to get them executed?

Well, it’s very difficult to say which roles got appreciated I think all were appreciated but the most impacting were from Vighnaharta Ganesha (Sony) as Dhundhkari the negative Lead and Yeh Hai Mohabbatein (StarPlus) as  Manish (Don) Negative lead

So far I got appreciated for Bepannah(colors) flirtiest choreographer character, Kumkum Bhagya(Zeetv) villain, Kundali Bhagya(ZeeTV) villain, Shrimadbhagwad Mahapuran (Colors) as Vasuki Naag.

Tell us about your web-series released on Hotstar “The Tattoo Murders” ? How was your experience with this character?

It was quite tough for me as in this web series I was having a scene where I m driving a SUV car and its actually tough to deliver dialogues while you are driving a car as you have to keep in mind the distance of the car from another car where the DOP is capturing the scene and maintain a constant speed. I want audience to watch the series and enjoy so I don’t wanna comment more on character to spoil the fun of the audience. But I am sure audience will like my acting and looks.

What do you feel is more important for an actor talent, training, etc.?

Both are important talent and training. But apart from these two you should be Confident, passionate and hardworking to get the job done. Talent can be improved by training as practice makes a man perfect here training can get your skills more polished and refined. Every actor should keep polishing his/her skills when they are on off schedule. It really helps a lot.

Varun would like prefer characters in further going as Villain, Romantic Lead Role, Comedy character, etc.

His view about negative review : “Well one thing I learned in IT field was reviews are necessary to fix problems so here also its necessary as I am always trying to improve and work hard to improve the negative reviews as well.”

Varun always takes efforts to create a believable character “I just be myself and feel the character and tries to deliver my dialogues as the scene is briefed by director. So far it’s going good. I just did a 3-4 days’ workshop when I first came to Mumbai as a fresher and that too to gain confidence in front of audience and camera...”

Healthy body has a healthy mind so usually he never miss to go to gym and long walks daily apart from that he loves to listen music, dance or watch movies and web series to divert my mind from negativity and learn by observing how actors are performing be it their expressions or movements or dialogue delivery..

In his career he would like to work with Hrithik Roshan.  As he is a fan since his first debut came Kaho Na Pyar Hai and since then trying to dance like him. One day may be I will be lucky enough to dance with him.

Due to his growing career and busy schedule he visits home very less. He keeps everyone in touch on video calls. Of course whenever he visits home after 3 -4 months he throws party and shares his journey and achievements, new projects and new goals.

What message would you like to give to all strugglers who are trying to build their career in the entertainment industry? :

“Just focus on your acting and be positive. Work on your acting join workshops, watch a lot of movies in free time and learn by observing, Make auditions links these days you can find ample of auditions on YouTube see yourself and make your auditions and make profile videos as that is what is required while sending your profile to casting directors. Also get your portfolio clicked in different attires that too is required when you send your profile along with your looks to casting directors.”