Varun Chakravarthy’s Journey from Film Extra to Indian Cricketer
In a candid conversation with Ravichandran Ashwin on the podcast Kutti Stories with Ash, Varun Chakravarthy reflected on his life before becoming an Indian cricketer. Known today as one of India's most promising spin bowlers and a key IPL player, his professional path had many turns before cricket took center stage.
Early Career and Search for Purpose
Before discovering his place in cricket, Varun experimented with various fields. During his twenties, he moved between architecture, music, and the film industry, searching for a creative outlet that would resonate with him. Eventually, his ambitions led him back to sports, where he found lasting purpose.
Film Industry Experience
When he was 25, Varun joined a group of friends connected to cinema and began visiting movie sets, hoping to work as an assistant director. His inspiration came from Tamil films that had a strong emotional impact on him and encouraged him to explore storytelling through cinema.
“I started hanging out with the movie guys in my group. We used to watch the shooting of films. One day, I got to know that this cricket movie Jeeva was being shot in many cricket stadiums. So I went to the location, thinking I would try to be an assistant director. I had seen some films like Varanam Aayiram and Subramaniapuram. These inspired me a lot during those days. So I felt that I could express myself through the movies. But I couldn’t make it to being an AD on set.”
First Role and Earnings
Although he did not become an assistant director, an opportunity soon came his way. A crew member on the film set offered Varun a part as a background actor, leveraging his cricket skills.
“But one day on set, an AD came up to me and offered me a part as a junior artiste, asking if I knew how to play cricket. The salary was Rs 600 per day. That was pretty helpful at that time.”
Today, as part of the Indian cricket team, he earns a daily allowance of around $300, marking a remarkable journey from his early struggles to professional success.
Author’s Summary
From earning Rs 600 a day as a film extra to receiving a $300 daily allowance as an Indian cricketer, Varun Chakravarthy’s life story reflects perseverance and self-discovery through unconventional paths.