Varun Badola is known as a serious actor. He calls himself a pahadi, because he hails from Uttarkhand. He speaks in his famous straightforward manner as he discusses work, family and controversies.

Q. What is keeping you busy these days?
A. I am busy with 'Ek Chaabi Hain Pados Mein', and 'Jhoom India'.

Q. You have been helping writers script 'Ek Chaabi Hain Pados Mein'. How has that experience been?
A. When I was an assistant director, I used to be an additional dialogue writer. So I have been doing this for some time. It feels good to be part of a show where your contribution is more than acting.

Q. You walked out of a show recently. What was the reason?
A. It was not such a big issue. The problem was that the shooting was delayed by a month, and I do not have dates. I told them to cast someone else, since I could genuinely not commit to it. It was that simple.

Q. You are saying that it was all just idle gossip.
A. In India, everything is news, since there is not much to talk about otherwise.

Q. Your work in 'Main, Meri Patni, Aur Woh' was much appreciated. However, it did not benefit your movie career.
A. I never do the 'after-meetings' that one needs to do to get the role. I believe in acting for passion, and I love acting, therefore I act. I believe that if you do some good work, it will benefit you.

Q. Your character in 'Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand' was quite unpopular. Did you feel good about that, since it was an appreciation for your acting?
A. Not really. I act because I like to. I act for myself, not the audience. If I say otherwise, I will be the biggest liar around. I did my best for the character. People act because they love to, or to earn their livelihood. In either case, everyone acts because he wants to be appreciated.

Q. You had mentioned that nobody can make you nervous now. Most people get nervous even after working many years. Why do you think that happens?
A. I cannot comment on others, but I have my own way of getting rid of my nervousness. I am relaxed if I am acting with some big actor, but I may get nervous, when my director has certain expectations from me, which I have to fulfil.

Q. You are in a weekly soap now. Are you tired of dailies?
A. The only daily I have ever done is 'Astitva'. There is no particular reason. If I like the character, I will do a daily.

Q. Rajeshwari and you were supposed to act together in a comedy show named 'Arranged Marriage', but it was delayed. Will we see you together?
A. Not in the near future, as of now.

Q. You can sing and dance well, as 'Nach Baliye' and 'Jhoom India' have proved. Why do we not see you in movies then?
A. Ask the directors who know the same things you do, and yet do not want me.

Q. You were Tigmanshu Dhulia's assistant. Why, then, did you not take up 'Mohalla Mohabbatwala' when it was offered to you?
A. 'Ek Chaabi Hain Pados Mein' had already begun, and he knew I was very busy. There is a personal understanding between both of us. We have not made any deal where he is supposed to take me into all his projects.

Q. You have adopted a daughter before your marriage. Were you sure that when you have your own child, you will be able to give her the same attention as your child?
A. I have not adopted her, but sponsored her. I support her financially. She stays with her friends. I am not under any pressure, because I knew it would be easier to sponsor than to adopt, since I was very busy. I meet her once or twice a year, when I have time.

Q. Rajeshwari just bagged a role in an English film.
A. (Proudly). Good, and good actors should get work, shouldn't they?

Q. What are your future projects?
A. I never know about my future. If you ask about my present or my future, I will be able to answer better. Everything has been good so far. -Sonu Anand