London: Varun Dhawan and his co-passengers who flew First Class from Mumbai on Jet Airways' 9W 120 were fast-tracked to Border Control (or Immigration) at Heathrow around 6.45 am on Sunday.

It's not unusual for celluloid stars from India to either shoot or be on holiday in London, and enter/exit via one of the busiest of airports globally, but Varun's arrival still created a stir and made women staffers swoon.

"Varun's so cute," said one of the women in purple, while another gushed "Oh, he is hot."

Service rules don't permit the taking of selfies, but at least those two were on the verge of flouting.

In fact, as with other points of entry elsewhere, photography by all devices is prohibited and one of Varun's co-passengers actually had to be 'cautioned'.

Big on cricket, Varun spoke to The Telegraph between two Row 1 Suites on board the Boeing 777-300. The lengthy interview took place over what would have been Dutch airspace.

An alumni of the Maneckji Cooper School in Mumbai and the Nottingham Trent University, the 31-year-old Varun has no airs about him and came across as exceedingly well mannered and grounded.

Indeed, 'Mr Polite' could well be Varun's middle name. His demeanour strongly suggests he'll go the distance.

Excerpts...

Q You're particular about following as much cricket as you can. What got you so involved?

A (Laughs) Millions of Indians are so involved. My father (Rajinder, better known as David) is big on cricket and that rubbed off on me. Of course, I played the sport in school only, not that my start was auspicious.

Q What happened?

A I had to attend a trial and the coach was some distance away from the wicket, somewhere in the region of first slip. I decided to bowl a bouncer and, well, the ball struck the coach. I had to really convince him that it wasn't intentional! I was a right-arm bowler, but would try and imitate Wasim Akram's action.

Q Are you in London for a length of time? The Lord's Test is from August 9...

A Unfortunately, I'll return home on August 2-3... It's sad, but I can't help it, for I have to be involved with the promotion of Yash Raj Films' Sui Dhaaga Made in India , co-starring Anushka (Sharma or Mrs Virat Kohli). It's a lovely story, directed by national award winner Sharat Katariya... I recall being on vacation in London during the 1999 World Cup and used just about all my allowances to buy the sky blue India jersey at the Lord's souvenir shop. It cost a bomb.

Q Your thoughts on the upcoming India-England Test series?

A If our bowlers perform to potential, then we'll surprise England. That said, James Anderson has just about always been a thorn and I hope Shikhar Dhawan hits that being-in-the-zone patch... I'm eager to see the Virat Kohli vs Joe Root battle unfold. That both are captains adds a touch of spice as well.

Q You would emulate Akram's action despite bowling right-arm... Favourite batsman?

A Sachin Tendulkar... I get tongue-tied when I meet him... I mean, what do I tell him ? Among the current lot, I have to pick Virat... KL Rahul excites me... My father and his generation used to be massive fans of Sunil Gavaskar.

Q Top captains?

A Dada (Sourav Ganguly), Mohammed Azharuddin... Then, there's the hugely successful Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Q Some questions on your art and craft... You've turned in brilliant performances in films such as Badlapur, Badrinath ki Dulhaniya and October... How long does it take you to switch off from a role?

A Look, the way I see it, my job isn't complete till the Friday when the film is released. Then, it's not in the hands of anybody associated with it. But, till that Friday, I am involved... It took me a while, two-three months, to switch off from my roles in Badlapur and October... I loved doing Sui Dhaaga Made in India , the story took me back to the time I struggled. In a way, it will remain very special, not only because of its theme... I like playing a mix of roles with one out-of-the-box film in that mix. Like, say, October.

Q An actor(s) you admire?

A Christian Bale, the late Robin Williams and the late Sanjeev Kumar... It's about doing comedy and grief brilliantly, like the three I've listed.

Q How have you handled the success coming your way?

A The hardest part of success is to handle it well. It can make you take things for granted. So, after tasting success and to ensure it comes back, it is important to reset to the base level... My father has taught me to believe that every shot of mine is my last. That I just have to give my best all the time... Celebrity status isn't guaranteed forever.

Q If there's criticism, do you get distracted?

A Shoojit Sircar, my October director, told me not to care about the opinion of others but to go by what convinces me. I give that 100 per cent believing there's a greater purpose behind what I'm doing.

Q You've been in films for the greater part of this decade. What has this period taught you?

A Patience... Not take anything for granted.

Q Have you learnt from the cricket stars whom you've followed?

A Definitely... Discipline from Sachin and the other India players... Not giving anything away is something I have learnt from Rahul Dravid... Quite a few things, in fact, from different stars.

Q A motto, perhaps, which drives you?

A 'Success is not achieved overnight'.

Q One more... Are you always so relaxed as you have been on this flight? You've obliged admirers seeking selfies and happily answered my questions...

A (Smiles) I try and relax... It has obviously been different on this flight, where people have come up to me individually... In public areas, one has to deal with 15-20 fans all the time and that gets reduced to smiling for selfies... I'm the type who'd like to talk to people, get to know about them. I like to engage... For example, you and I have talked on more than one issue and, in a limited way, have got to know each other... I like to observe, which is part of an actor's job, and I do like to converse. I could do both on this flight.