Divya
Varun Dhawan’s upcoming film Coolie No 1, whom he stars alongside Sara Ali Khan, is set for a Christmas release on Amazon Prime Video.
Addressing rumours about taking the No 1 franchise forward with dad David Dhawan, Varun says there is no way that’s happening.
As per a Bollywood Hungama report, Varun says, “No, the No 1 franchise will always be known for the Govinda-David Dhawan-Karisma Kapoor trio. This is a one-off film, we don’t intend to spin it into a franchise. But we will continue making comedies. It’s a genre that needs to be kept alive, everyone needs a two-hour laughter break with their families. Even doctors advise you to laugh.”
Varun added, “Comedies are meant for community viewing, but when the decision to go with an OTT release was taken, cinemas across the country were shut. We were at the peak of the pandemic with 90,000 cases a day. I admit I’m what I am because of theatres, but no one had anticipated a pandemic. Some amount of money went into making the film, and as an actor, I have to go by my producer’s decision. I can’t ask him to mortgage his house. There’s a lot of financial pressure. We’ve got plenty of offers from single screen exhibitors. The decision is Amazon Prime Video’s, I’m confident they will go all out to ensure that this film reaches everyone across the globe.“
When quizzed about his next collaboration with Papa Dhawan, Varun replied, “With the virus still around, it’s not safe for my dad to go out and work. Neither Rohit (brother) nor I would want him to work at such a time. He has worked all his life and it’s tough to tell a person who has been on set for so many years, not to work. But we are still in the middle of a pandemic. There’s something my dad wants to direct after Coolie No 1; it’s a script he has wanted to make for a long time. That may be his next, but right now, I just want him to chill. He’s at that phase of his career when he can do what he wants.”
