I Think Of Myself As A Journalist More And Not A Writer: Varun Grover

“You have to have at least five absolutely crazy interests that may help you live your life. When I’m a stand-up comic not a writer, I get some time and mental space away from my writing,” the National Award-winning lyricist said. From being an illustrator to having a career in advertising to writing films, Chaturvedi said people take up a certain job to serve a purpose in life. “It could be to fulfil something which is lacking in my existing reality or to express my understanding on a subject. But whatever I have done has been guided through my inner voice. When you do that it doesn’t matter how it comes out,” the writer, known for films like “Vicky Donor”, “Piku”, and the recently released “Gulabo Sitabo”, said.

The National Award winner said one can only write about something they have understood or want to learn. “If I get affected by what is expected from me, I will just be replaying their thoughts and ideas. That cannot be my voice. It’s like breathing. I can’t breathe for you and you can’t breathe for me to keep me alive.” Chaturvedi, who is director Shoojit Sircar’s frequent collaborator, said working with certain people stems from the need to do justice to an idea. “It happens over a period of time that you do form a certain kind of understanding with people and that starts showing in your work. I would like to be with people who understand things better than me, only then my work can go a step up,” the 45-year-old said. As an obese child who was bullied, Grover said, he has “conflicting” ideas about being part of a camp. “I wanted to be safe in a small group and also thinking that as a protest against bullying, I want to walk alone. I initially worked in TV so when you write for six years there, you are like a street cat. You can go anywhere. I have probably worked with different groups of people and genres because I want to work only in those spaces where I find my freedom.” In answer to a question asked by .