Exclusive! Vikas Verma: It took me eight long years to bag my first film

With films like 'Yaariyan’, ‘Shaandaar’, ‘Mom’, and ‘Judwaa 2’, Vikas Verma is gradually making a space for himself in Bollywood but it has taken him a long time to get there. In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the actor opens up about his latest venture ‘Coolie No 1’, working with Sara Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan, and the struggle to make it in the industry. Excerpts…
How did you bag a role in 'Coolie No 1'?
I was a part of David Dhawan’s ‘Judwaa 2’.He was impressed with my performance and had told me that he'd like to work with me again. Six months before we started shooting for ‘Coolie No 1’, he called to inform me that I was part of his next. Three months later, he introduced me to the film's associate director as the villain and that's when I found out that the film was 'Coolie No 1'.
How was your experience of working with Dhawan Sr again?
Simply amazing! He is strict when it comes to work and spares no one on the set if they make a mistake. He has reprimanded everyone--Sara, Varun, and me. He likes actors who are prepared for a scene and hates retakes so I had learnt my dialogues thoroughly so as not to upset him. He has worked with ace actors like Salman Khan, Govinda, Sanjay Dutt; I had to impress him. But after pack up, he looked after the entire crew like a father.

Do you have a favourite David Dhawan film?
I have watched all of them and my favourite is ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’.
How did you prep up for the negative role?
Although I had seen the original ‘Coolie No 1’, David sir made me watch it again, and during the look test, told me to bulk up. I had to gain 20 kg for my role. Though I had Mahesh Anand's reference from the original, I didn’t want it to look like a copy. So, I watched the film to understand the tangent but played the character according to my sensibilities.
Original 'Coolie No 1' had some chartbusters. Which one is your favourite?
‘Tujhko Mirchi Lagi Toh Main Kya Karu’.
How was it working with Sara Ali Khan and Varun Dhawan? How are they as co-stars?
I did not have a lot of screen time with Sara Ali Khan but Varun and my tracks ran parallel. Sara is a charming! She loves to talk so even if you spend a little time with her, you will be in awe. As far as Varun is concerned, I have worked with him before in ‘Judwaa 2' and we used to spend a lot of time chatting and working out in the gym together. He also knows my family.
How was the atmosphere on the sets?
Oh, we had a lot of fun! Varun and I have many fighting scenes in the film which meant that we hit each other several times inadvertently. The we went, 'sorry sorry' (laughs). We both assured each other that we were fine and then limp back to the sets the next day.

What are your thoughts on film remakes?
I feel good about remakes; they allow us to relive memories of old classics. The world has changed so much that to tell the same story in a new setting is nice.
Which other remakes would you like to be a part of and whose character you would like to reprise?
If David Dhawan sir makes ‘Mujhse Shaadi Karogi’ again, I would love to play Akshay Kumar sir’s character in the film. Sunny was a very interesting character.
Are you unhappy that the film did not get a theatrical release as was planned earlier?
I am not unhappy but it would have been nicer. Watching your film on a 70mm screen is amazing and especially David sir's films because they are grand.
As an outsider, would you say it's easy to make it in Bollywood?
It is not. I did not get chances just like that; I had to beg for it. I tried a lot and worked very hard. It took me eight long years to bag my first film. Somebody once told me that if you get a close up of even five seconds in a film, you have made it. I have got many close-ups but I am not a star yet. I am grateful that I was given a chance to prove myself.
What kind of films would you like to be a part of?
I would love to be a part of historical dramas like ‘Bajirao Mastani’ or ‘Padmaavat’ where I can play an Afghani or a terrorist. I have changed my look after ‘Coolie No 1’ just to get different roles. I want to explore more as an actor.