EXCLUSIVE: “I Didn’t Know Who Varun Dhawan Was During October” – Banita Sandhu
In a recent chat with Instant Bollywood, October actress Banita Sandhu opened up about her experience working on her debut film and what it was like to have Varun Dhawan as her co-star.
EXCLUSIVE: “I Didn’t Know Who Varun Dhawan Was During October” – Banita Sandhu
For many, October was an emotional ride. But for Banita, it wasn’t just about the story. It was also about diving headfirst into method acting, something that left a deep emotional impact.
Banita revealed something that might surprise a lot of fans. When she first signed onto the film, she had no idea who Varun Dhawan was.
“Back then, I didn’t know who Varun was. I only knew the actors from my mom and dad’s generation. I wasn’t familiar with the newer generation, so I was like, ‘Cool, yeah, he’s in.’ Looks like Dan,” she said with a laugh.
“Varun Was One Of The Best First Co-stars I Could’ve Asked For” – Banita
But it didn’t take long for her to appreciate just how lucky she was to have Varun by her side. She described him as one of the best first co-stars she could have asked for.
“He was honestly one of the best first co-stars I could’ve asked for because he was so there for me, super kind and thoughtful.”
Working on October was no easy task. The film’s emotional depth took a toll on Banita, especially since she really immersed herself into the role. “The movie was really intense and I got a bit too into the method acting for that role, and it put me in a tough spot emotionally. It wasn’t easy,” she admitted. During those difficult days, Varun was the one who helped her find some balance.
(Also Read: EXCLUSIVE: Banita Sandhu Started Acting From Age 11, See Her 1st Paycheck!)
“Varun was kind of that light. He would just mess around and help me feel a little better, making sure I was eating and all.”
That supportive bond really made a difference, especially when Banita found herself slipping too deeply into the emotional world of her character. Having someone around who could pull her back to reality with kindness and humor was exactly what she needed.
When asked about Varun’s acting process, Banita explained that he’s quite good at switching in and out of character. “He’s pretty good at switching on and off, but some scenes demand a lot, so he kind of just for those couple of takes, he’d stay in that zone, ‘cause otherwise it’s exhausting to come out and then jump back in.”
It’s clear that their working relationship was built on mutual respect and care. For a newcomer like Banita, having an experienced and considerate co-star like Varun made all the difference.
