Varun Chakravarthy once earned Rs 600 per day as junior artiste; now receives $300 daily allowance as Indian cricketer

Varun Chakravarthy’s Unlikely Journey from Film Sets to Cricket Fields

In a candid chat with Ravichandran Ashwin on the podcast Kutti Stories with Ash, Indian cricketer Varun Chakravarthy reflected on his unusual path to professional cricket. Now known as a formidable spinner in the IPL and national team, his early years were filled with exploration and uncertainty.

Life Before Cricket

Before finding stability in cricket, Chakravarthy dabbled in several fields including architecture, music, and the film industry. He recounted that in his mid-twenties, he immersed himself in creative circles and developed an interest in filmmaking.

“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 stadiums. So I went there, thinking I would try to be an assistant director… but I couldn’t make it.”

During one of these shoots, fortune took an unexpected turn when an assistant director offered him a role as a junior artiste.

“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.”

From Rs 600 a Day to Global Recognition

That brief experience on a film set was far removed from his life now, where he represents India internationally and reportedly earns a daily allowance of $300. His story underscores how unpredictable paths can lead to remarkable achievements.

Author’s Summary

Varun Chakravarthy’s story captures an inspiring shift from struggling as a film extra earning Rs 600 daily to thriving as a key Indian cricketer with global acclaim.

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The Indian Express The Indian Express — 2025-11-06

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