What's stopping Baby John star Varun Dhawan from reaching the next level? [Opinion]

There is a big difference in spotting potential in someone and being able to bring out the best in them. Unfortunately, Kalees, the director of Baby John, falters at doing the latter. When we spoke at the press conference of the film in Mumbai last week, the director was sure that Varun Dhawan will be able to fill the young mass hero space in Bollywood. He was convinced that just like Allu Arjun in Telugu film industry, Varun can be that for Hindi cinema.

Interestingly, Baby John is a film that gives Varun Dhawan the scope to be that. However, the actor came across as trying too hard to do justice to a role that doesn't fit him well. Baby John was his first out and out big screen action entertainer, following the heels of Citadel Honey Bunny where he played a spy. Alas, Raj & DK's latest web series faltered on many aspects and presenting Varun as the action hero was one of them. And Baby John also couldn't elevate him either.

So what is it that's holding Varun Dhawan back from taking his career to the next level? One of the reasons that is blatantly obvious is the lack of his own style. 12 years, 19 films later, Varun still appears to be trying to do a Govinda, or a Salman Khan and with his latest, Allu Arjun.

The Indian film industry is highly competitive, with numerous talented actors vying for the spotlight. Varun is up against contemporaries like Ranbir Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, and Ayushmann Khurrana, who have successfully diversified their roles and genres. Staying relevant and continuously reinventing oneself is crucial in such a dynamic environment.

Interestingly, a lot also depends on the director and Varun has proved what he is capable of when he is in good hands. Case in point - his films like Badlapur (2015, directed by Sriram Raghavan) and October (2018, directed by Shoojit Sircar). Perhaps, the need of the hour is to consistently choose the right projects. Choosing projects that allow him to explore different facets of his acting abilities and collaborating with visionary directors can help him break the mould and reach new heights.

Varun Dhawan's journey in Bollywood is a testament to his talent and dedication. With the right mix of versatility, impactful roles, and personal growth, Varun has the potential to solidify his place as one of the industry's leading stars.