Updated on: 19 October, 2026 05:43 PM IST |Kavya Agarwal
Think Varun Dhawan is all about killer dance moves, romantic songs and comedy? Think again! Fourteen years, several unforgettable characters and one actor who refuses to stay in a box! From winning hearts with his boy-next-door charm to taking on darker, more demanding roles, Varun Dhawan has made his Bollywood journey an entertaining ride. Fourteen years into his Bollywood journey, the actor has built a filmography that goes well beyond his familiar crowd-pleasing formula. Some roles made us fall for his charm, while others challenged our perception of him. Heres a look at the career-defining performances you need to revisit!
Varun's epic comic timing in "Badrinath Ki Dulhania"
Viewers heavily praised Varun’s comic timing, energetic screen presence, and his endearing chemistry with co-star Alia Bhatt. There chemistry and intensity brought in the box office collection of 200 crores. Viewers—including young school groups—expressed massive affection for Varun's endearing, funny, and energetic portrayal of Badri, often dancing to the film's chart-topping tracks.
Viewers heavily praised Varun’s comic timing, energetic screen presence, and his endearing chemistry with co-star Alia Bhatt. There chemistry and intensity brought in the box office collection of 200 crores. Viewers—including young school groups—expressed massive affection for Varun's endearing, funny, and energetic portrayal of Badri, often dancing to the film's chart-topping tracks.
Varun's image shifted with "October"
Varun has often been regarded as one of the most energetic and positively loud actor. He aims to make the audience fall in love with his energy. Yet, somehow, this movie changed his image entirely. The film and Varun's restrained portrayal received widespread appreciation from both critics and viewers, with many fans and reviewers calling it one of the finest and most courageous performances of his career.
Varun has often been regarded as one of the most energetic and positively loud actor. He aims to make the audience fall in love with his energy. Yet, somehow, this movie changed his image entirely. The film and Varun's restrained portrayal received widespread appreciation from both critics and viewers, with many fans and reviewers calling it one of the finest and most courageous performances of his career.
The epic transformation in "Bhediya"
Fans appreciated Varun's intense physical shift, animal-flow training, glowing yellow eyes, and howl-heavy promotional antics. Varun shared that his 3-year-old niece got so scared of his trailer look and howling that he had to shave off his beard.
Fans appreciated Varun's intense physical shift, animal-flow training, glowing yellow eyes, and howl-heavy promotional antics. Varun shared that his 3-year-old niece got so scared of his trailer look and howling that he had to shave off his beard.
Varun created a charm with "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania"
Varun Dhawan plays the lead role of Rakesh "Humpty" Sharma, a charming, big-hearted, and relatable young man from Delhi who falls in love with Kavya Pratap Singh (played by Alia Bhatt). Fans widely praised Varun Dhawan for making Humpty an endearing, lovable "darling" whose honest, self-effacing approach to love resonated strongly with audiences. Varun later shared in interviews how much he admired—and felt playfully jealous of—the massive fan craze and attention his late co-star Sidharth Shukla (who played NRI Angad Bedi) received from crowds during the film's shoot.
Varun Dhawan plays the lead role of Rakesh "Humpty" Sharma, a charming, big-hearted, and relatable young man from Delhi who falls in love with Kavya Pratap Singh (played by Alia Bhatt). Fans widely praised Varun Dhawan for making Humpty an endearing, lovable "darling" whose honest, self-effacing approach to love resonated strongly with audiences. Varun later shared in interviews how much he admired—and felt playfully jealous of—the massive fan craze and attention his late co-star Sidharth Shukla (who played NRI Angad Bedi) received from crowds during the film's shoot.
Dark role of Varun in "Badlapur"
Varun Dhawan played the protagonist Raghav "Raghu" Purohit, a common man turned dark, ruthless, and vengeful killer, in Sriram Raghavan's 2015 neo-noir action thriller "Badlapur". Before "Badlapur", Varun Dhawan was known for light-hearted, frothy commercial and romantic roles (Student of the Year, Main Tera Hero, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya). He played an angst-ridden, traumatized husband seeking vengeance against bank robbers (Liak and Harman) who killed his wife (Misha) and son during a car robbery. Fans and audiences were stunned to see the bubbly commercial star step into a dark, gritty, and morally ambiguous anti-hero space.
Varun Dhawan played the protagonist Raghav "Raghu" Purohit, a common man turned dark, ruthless, and vengeful killer, in Sriram Raghavan's 2015 neo-noir action thriller "Badlapur". Before "Badlapur", Varun Dhawan was known for light-hearted, frothy commercial and romantic roles (Student of the Year, Main Tera Hero, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya). He played an angst-ridden, traumatized husband seeking vengeance against bank robbers (Liak and Harman) who killed his wife (Misha) and son during a car robbery. Fans and audiences were stunned to see the bubbly commercial star step into a dark, gritty, and morally ambiguous anti-hero space.
Varun Dhawan's extravagant debut with "Student Of The Year"
Varun Dhawan's high-energy debut as the ambitious and competitive Rohan Nanda launched his mainstream Bollywood career and established him as a breakout young star. The moment he entered the screen, we knew he is here to own it and he did it! The way he smiled, the way he acted with the camera, the way he danced, his expressions, it all proved that this promising actor is here to stay.
Varun Dhawan's high-energy debut as the ambitious and competitive Rohan Nanda launched his mainstream Bollywood career and established him as a breakout young star. The moment he entered the screen, we knew he is here to own it and he did it! The way he smiled, the way he acted with the camera, the way he danced, his expressions, it all proved that this promising actor is here to stay.
