Actor Varun Sharma goes back to school in Sanawar after 10 yrs

When actors visit their hometown, they usually meet old buddies and go on eating binges and nostalgia trips. But Chandigarh boy Varun Sharma's case was a little different. When the Choocha of 'Fukrey' went there, he first took a trip to the post office in Sector 17 to send postcards to his buddies in Mumbai, followed by a quick chana bhatoora session, and a chat and photo session with the UT Police, before heading to his alma mater- The Lawrence School, Sanawar."I visited my school after 10 years. But there, rather than talking about how emotional the journey was, I will say it was a great experience to relive the days that I left behind almost a decade ago," he says. Varun passed out from the school in 2008.

While people brand Chandigarh as 'city of retirees', Varun feels that’s just a mindset. "There's no such thing as fast or slow (in a city). It's the mindset that makes you think whatever you want to. With a little tweak in perception, one can realize how fast-paced Chandigarh is and can know about its myriad hidden shades. Traffic snarls or jet life doesn’t make a city fast. The character of Chandigarh appears to be slow, but people here are quite competitive."

Even though Varun shifted to Mumbai some years ago, his longing for Chandigarh has never lessened. About visiting his school, he says, "I can't figure out how 10 years went by. But the air in Sanawar still feels so fresh - as if my school session ended only some months back. This time, I met my teachers and visited my dormitory. After all this, I went to the tuck shop to savour my favourite vanilla ice cream."
Varun Sharma made a trip to his alma mater (BCCL/ Shiv Gautam)
Varun remembers how Saturdays would bring much-awaited culinary excursions, since school rules would allow students to utilize their pocket money only on the weekends.
So which activities and things get him excited about Chandigarh visits? "I do not get caught up in mundane, routine things. For example this time, I posted letters and postcards. Probably, on my next trip I will go on a trek. Basically, life isn't just about eating and partying – we need to figure out unique ways in which we can add to our curiosity levels, besides satisfying the wanderer in us," he says. Soon to be seen in 'Fukrey 2', Varun has also signed an untitled film with Jimmy Sheirgill, based on cyber crime.
Festivals can make Chandigarh more exciting
Varun has a great plan for Chandigarh. He says that if the authorities organize more festivals and hold activities that utilize the beautiful spots of Chandigarh, it will attract many tourists. "The initiatives need to be planned systematically," he adds.