Published By: Sayan Paul

Happy Birthday, Varun Dhawan: More Than a Chocolate Boy - How He Broke Out of His Comfort Zone

During the early 2010s, Varun Dhawan emerged as the quintessential 'chocolate boy' of Hindi cinema.

When 'Student of the Year' was released, Varun Dhawan stood out—not necessarily because he was flawless, but because among the three debutants (now all are stars), he showed the most promise as an actor. What followed was a string of roles that sealed his image as Bollywood’s ultimate chocolate boy. Films like 'Main Tera Hero', 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania', 'Dilwale', and 'Judwaa 2'—all tapped into his boy-next-door charm, easygoing vibe, and effortless comic timing. And truth be told, he had that thing—that likability that made him a crowd favorite. But with popularity came the trap of typecasting. He was repeatedly slotted into the same feel-good, flirty hero roles. While this space felt natural to him, Dhawan wasn’t content staying boxed in. He had more to offer. Slowly but surely, he started looking beyond the smile-and-romance routine, setting his sights on characters that challenged him as an actor and let him grow beyond the chocolate boy tag. And look where he stands today - widely accepted as a versatile actor!

One of India's highest-paid actors, Varun Dhawan celebrates his 38th birthday today. On this occasion, let's discuss how he broke out of his comfort zone.

Dark, Gritty, and Miles Away from Cute – Badlapur

'Badlapur', released in 2015, was the turning point in Dhawan's career. He played Raghu, a man wrecked by tragedy, driven by revenge, and stripped of the boyish appeal that had defined his previous roles. It was raw, disturbing, and far removed from his usual territory of dance numbers and designer jackets.

Choosing a Sriram Raghavan film at a time when he could have signed five more romantic comedies was undoubtedly a gutsy move. Dhawan even admitted he knew his fans wouldn’t be thrilled to see him this way. But the risk paid off. Critics praised his intensity, and the film showcased a side of him that had been waiting to break free.

Silent, Sensitive, and Surprisingly Soulful – October

If ‘Badlapur' screamed transformation for Dhawan, 'October' whispered it gently. Shoojit Sircar’s quiet, meditative film cast him as Dan, an emotionally distant hotel intern who learns empathy through the slow, painful process of caring for a colleague (was this love? I still don't know!) in a coma.

Gone were the dramatic dialogues and dance moves. Dan didn’t try to be liked—he just existed, awkwardly and earnestly. It was the kind of character most actors avoid unless they’re trying to prove a point. Dhawan didn't even want to prove anything. He just wanted to explore his craft, and life in general. The film, although a box office failure, was appreciated for its merit, and Dhawan’s performance stood out for its restraint.

 

(Credit: VarunDhawan)

Ordinary, Rooted, and Full of Heart – Sui Dhaaga

In 'Sui Dhaaga', Dhawan became Mauji, a lower-middle-class man trying to regain his self-respect through self-employment. The mustache, the modest wardrobe, the UP accent—it was all a far cry from his earlier films, but it fit him like a tailor-made kurta.

The film wasn’t loud or flashy. But it tugged at the heart, and Mauji’s simplicity struck a chord. Dhawan made the character believable, never once letting his star aura overshadow Mauji’s humble journey. It was another brick in the wall he was quietly building to separate himself from his earlier image.

Transformative, Funny, and a Little Furry – Bhediya

Just when people thought Varun Dhawan had explored enough shades, he turned into a werewolf. Literally.

'Bhediya' was part horror, part comedy, and part folklore—but at its core was a performance that demanded physicality, timing, and transformation. Bhaskar’s journey from man to myth was handled with humor and heart, and the actor pulled it off with surprising ease.

 

(Credit: VarunDhawan)

What made this role special was the way it blended the fantastical with the human. He made you laugh, yes—but he also made you care. It wasn’t easy to balance the absurd and the emotional, but he did.

Sharp, Suave, and Global-Ready – Citadel: Honey Bunny

With 'Citadel: Honey Bunny', Dhawan officially stepped onto the global stage. Playing a high-octane spy in an Indian adaptation of the international spy universe, he brought a sleek, intense energy to the screen that felt miles away from his chocolate boy avatars.

He looked the part, but more importantly, he felt it. The performance is still under the spotlight as the series continues (with more spin-offs in the future), but the tone is clear—Dhawan is no longer just catering to the multiplex crowd. He’s now playing in a bigger sandbox.

(Credit: Prime Video)

And his chemistry with Samantha throughout the series is absolutely spot-on!

Fierce, Fiery, and Full Mass Appeal – Baby John

Coming up next is 'Baby John', a high-energy action film produced by Atlee, known for his big-screen blockbusters. Dhawan looked intense, rugged, and ready to demolish anything in his way—metaphorically and possibly literally.

While the performance didn’t quite win over critics or the crowd, one thing’s clear — this isn’t the same boyish charm of Humpty or Badrinath. This is an actor hungry to own the screen with swagger, intensity, and emotion. And he looks more than ready for his next big leap.

(Credit: JioStudios)

Over the years, Varun Dhawan has quietly, steadily evolved from a commercial crowd-pleaser into a risk-taker who enjoys surprising his audience. Yes, he still dances like a dream and delivers the occasional entertainer—but he has shown that he is more than his smile. And without an iota of doubt, it's no small feat in an industry that loves typecasting.