Varun Dhawan recently reflected on the sudden demise of his long-time driver, Manoj, who had been by his side for 26 years. The actor revealed how this tragic event deeply altered his perspective on life, pulling him out of the ‘bubble’ he had unknowingly been living in for years.
During a conversation with Ranveer Allahbadia on his YouTube channel, Varun spoke about how he had previously viewed life through an idealistic lens. He admitted that he had believed he understood life, but Manoj’s death marked a turning point. Varun described the experience as transformative, stating that his life could be divided into “before and after the age of 35.” Struggling to contain his emotions, he shared how the incident made him feel like he had failed in living up to his perception of being a hero—a role he often portrayed onscreen but could not fulfill in real life during such a critical moment.
Varun recounted his close relationship with Manoj, sharing that he had been with him when Manoj suddenly passed away while they were working together. Despite efforts to revive him through CPR and rushing him to Lilavati Hospital, Manoj succumbed to a fatal heart attack in Varun’s arms. The actor expressed how unsettling it was to witness the suddenness of Manoj’s passing, calling it a casual yet profound loss that left a lasting impact on him.
The loss affected Varun personally and professionally, leading to a reduced workload and a significant gap in his releases. He turned to religious scriptures, including the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Bhagavad Gita, seeking answers and finding solace in their teachings. Varun explained that while such incidents can shake one deeply, they also serve as a reminder to keep moving forward. Reflecting on Manoj’s passing during the Covid-19 pandemic, Varun shared that although Manoj had recovered from the virus, he suffered a fatal heart attack a week later, leaving Varun grappling with profound mental and emotional pain.