Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan have shared a friendship that goes back much further than their careers in Bollywood. Long before they became co-stars, the two knew each other as children—and one story from those early years has remained a particularly memorable part of their friendship.
During promotions for Stree 2, Shraddha once recalled how she had playfully proposed to Varun when they were around eight years old. Her childhood declaration did not receive the response she was expecting.
Instead, Varun rejected the proposal and reportedly ran away, turning what could have been an embarrassing childhood memory into one of the more amusing stories the actors have shared about their early friendship.
Shraddha Kapoor’s ‘Pahad Ke Upar Gaye’ Story
Recalling the incident, Shraddha described a childhood moment that took place after she and Varun had gone up a mountain.
She explained that, as an eight-year-old, she attempted what she jokingly described as a kind of reverse proposal.
Her declaration was, “You love I,” an innocent childhood expression that she apparently expected Varun to understand.
His response, however, was not what she had hoped for.
According to Shraddha’s recollection, Varun told her, “Mujhe ladkiyan pasand nahi hain,” meaning, “I don’t like girls.”
He then reportedly ran away.
What was an ordinary childhood interaction at the time later became a funny anecdote that the two actors could look back on after growing up and entering the film industry.
Varun Dhawan’s Childhood Rejection Had Another Chapter
The story did not end with Varun’s mountain-top escape.
According to an anecdote Varun later shared, the incident had consequences when the two were still children.
He recalled attending Shraddha’s 10th birthday party and claimed that a group of boys confronted and beat him up because of his earlier rejection of her.
The episode, as remembered by Varun, added another humorous twist to what had begun as an innocent childhood crush.
It also showed how the friendship between the two actors was surrounded by a wider circle of childhood acquaintances who knew about their interactions.
Varun Later Admitted He Regretted Saying No
Years after the childhood incident, Varun reportedly reflected on his decision to reject Shraddha.
He recalled seeing her at a dance competition during their teenage years and remembering how she had helped him when he found himself in a difficult situation.
Varun also remembered being struck by how beautiful she looked at the time.
That moment apparently made him reconsider his childhood decision and wonder whether he had been too quick to turn her down.
The story became another example of how their relationship changed naturally as they grew older—from childhood friends to young performers and eventually established Bollywood co-stars.
From Childhood Friends to Bollywood Co-Stars
Shraddha and Varun’s friendship eventually crossed into their professional lives.
The pair first appeared together in ABCD 2, the 2015 dance film directed by Remo D’Souza. Their on-screen partnership was later followed by Street Dancer 3D, released in 2020.
Both films centred heavily on dance, giving the actors an opportunity to combine their professional performances with the familiarity they already had away from the cameras.
Their longstanding friendship has often added another dimension to interviews and promotional appearances, where the two have been comfortable sharing playful memories from their childhood.
Their Friendship Goes Beyond Their Films
While audiences know Shraddha and Varun primarily as Bollywood actors, their connection predates their entry into the Hindi film industry.
That history helps explain why their interviews have occasionally included personal anecdotes that would be difficult to recreate between co-stars who met only after becoming adults.
The childhood proposal story is particularly memorable because it captures a very different version of both actors—long before fame, films and celebrity status became part of their lives.
A Childhood Crush That Became a Funny Bollywood Memory
Shraddha’s story is ultimately less about romance and more about the innocence of childhood friendship.
At eight years old, a simple expression of affection became an amusing rejection. Years later, the same incident could be recalled with humour by two actors who had gone on to build successful careers and work together on major Bollywood projects.
The “Pahad Ke Upar Gaye” episode remains a charming glimpse into their early friendship—and a reminder that even celebrities have ordinary childhood memories that can become funny stories years later.
From an innocent childhood proposal to ABCD 2 and Street Dancer 3D, Shraddha Kapoor and Varun Dhawan’s journey has certainly included an unexpected number of chapters.
And, in this particular story, Varun’s childhood decision to run away became one of the most entertaining memories associated with their long friendship.
