During a basketball game, Varun Sood showcases his talents beyond his appearances on reality shows like Ragini MMS Returns and Jugjugg Jeeyo. Aside from acting, Varun is deeply passionate about basketball. While in town for a charity basketball match, we sat down with Varun to discuss his love for the sport, his approach to developing characters for his roles, and more. Here are some highlights from our conversation:

"Playing basketball whenever possible"

Introduced to basketball during his school days as a way to stay fit and shed weight, Varun recalls, "I needed a fun way to get in shape and slim down. With lots of people playing football at my school, the field was vast." Hence, he opted for basketball as a more manageable option. Over time, he grew to adore the sport, noting, "It's my preferred pastime when I'm not working. It brings me a sense of relaxation and tranquility." Varun attributes his personal style and sneaker collection to his love for basketball, sharing, "When you admire something, you tend to incorporate certain aspects of it. Having watched numerous international basketball games, I've adopted players' styles and behaviors."

"Navigating the transition from reality TV to acting"

Reflecting on his journey, Varun acknowledges the challenges of moving from reality television to acting, stating, "After participating in a few reality shows, I found myself pigeonholed as a reality TV personality, making it tough to break free from the stereotype." Despite possessing the necessary skills, he faced rejection in auditions for acting roles. This led Varun to take a two-year hiatus from television before making a return with a brief appearance in Jugjugg Jeeyo. "Audiences responded positively to my performance, indicating their belief in my acting abilities," he shares. As he explores diverse roles, Varun emphasizes his openness to characters that bring him joy, with action and comedy genres high on his priority list.

"Injecting my personal touch into each character"

Engaging in a continuous journey of character exploration, Varun emphasizes the importance of infusing his own essence into each role. He observes, "To prepare for a character, I identify the parallels between myself and the character to create an authentic portrayal."Actor Varun expresses the importance of understanding a character's mindset to portray it accurately and make it believable. He describes how he wants people to feel connected to the characters he plays and sees each challenge as an opportunity to grow. When asked about his commitment to his work, Varun responds with a smile, stating, "I am committed." Sharing his past experience as a Video Jockey where he frequently visited Pune for college event coverage, Varun admires the city's youthful and energetic vibe.