29 October,2026 01:12 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Varun Dhawan. Pic via Instagram
Actor Varun Dhawan has reflected on his earlier comments about his box-office success, admitting that he regrets boasting about his achievements. During his appearance on Koffee With Karan season 9, the actor said he has realised that an artiste's work should speak for itself, citing Ajay Devgn as someone who handles both success and failure with remarkable composure.
The conversation began when host Karan Johar pointed out that Varun had become a "meme factory" because of his smile. Varun attributed the trend to Karan, explaining that the memes originated from a scene in his debut film, Student of the Year.
Reflecting on how he has changed over the years, Varun said, "I think the whole thing of these things happening, whether it was a push narrative or not a push narrative, what I have realised over time, after maturing, is that the only flex one should do is with your work."
He then acknowledged that his earlier comments about his string of hits might have been a mistake, adding, "Like, I feel many years back, I came here and flexed about how many hits I had, and eventually, it jinxed me."
Karan brought up Varun's previous appearance on Koffee With Karan season 6, when the actor was asked to choose between Ranbir Kapoor and Ranveer Singh as his bigger competitor. Varun had confidently replied, "No one. They haven't had what I've had. I've had eight hits in a row."
Instead, Varun explained that he now prefers to let his work speak for itself rather than draw attention to his achievements. His comments reflect a shift in how he views success, particularly after experiencing both favourable and unfavourable responses to his films.
Varun named Ajay Devgn as an actor whose attitude towards success and failure he admires. Praising the veteran star's consistency, he said, "I don't want to flex or anything in that matter because I just feel that when you are having success, or something becomes a success, I think it is better to be like Ajay Devgn."
He added, "He doesn't react. He is that one guy I have seen through success or through failure; he looks at you the same way. It's amazing." Varun has announced Bhediya 2, the sequel to his 2022 creature comedy. While he reprised his character for a cameo in Thamma, the sequel's release date is still awaited.
