Varun Dhawan meets Captain America

Actor likes superhero for being ‘old school type’

NEW YORK: Bollywood actor Varun Dhawan — who will be voicing the character of Captain America in the Hindi dubbed version of the film — has said that he likes the superhero because of his “old school type” appeal.

“I like Captain America because he is old school and it is important that we take such characters forward,” said Dhawan, at a promotional event for the upcoming film on Thursday. He was present to unveil a special statue of the superhero which has been flown in from Hollywood. “Therefore, I think that for today’s children and youth in general, there is no better role model than one who sticks to his culture and beliefs from the past.”

Dhawan went on to describe what he believes sets Captain America apart from his contemporaries in the Marvel comics. “He is a very mature and sober kind of person. In real life, I am not that way at all,” he shared. “Playing this role was difficult because to have that kind of control in situations, to have that kind of maturity when facing adversity, was very difficult for me. That’s why I chose to voice Captain America.”

Captain America is played by Hollywood actor Chris Evans in the original version. Slated for release on May 6, the film also features other popular superheroes from The Avengers series, namely Iron Man played by Robert Downey Jr Its crew was recently flown to Singapore where they were shown Dhawan’s bits. Of their reactions, Dhawan said, “Chris Evans has sent back a video which will be unveiled. It contains what he feels regarding the trailer. One of the things he said was that I was very honest in my portrayal and that means the world to me.”

Dhawan, nonetheless, remains humble and grateful to Evans for sharing his role. “Eventually, it is Chris’s character and he has brought it to life in so many other films. I have to keep the tone the same. The things he believes in and the honesty has to come out in my voice as well,” stated Dhawan. “This is why I did the film – and for the children who are going to watch it.” 

Published in The Express Tribune, April 24^th, 2016.

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