Co-Ed EXCLUSIVE: Varun Badola–Rajeshwari Sachdev Navigate Gen-Z Lingo, Teen Chaos & On-Screen Parenting

Varun Badola-Rajeshwari Sachdev Exclusive: Varun Badola and Rajeshwari Sachdev truly need no introduction. Whether it's comedy, drama, or intense emotional tracks - on OTT, television, or the big screen - the real-and-reel life couple has consistently impressed audiences with their effortless, powerful, and deeply natural performances. Now, the duo is back on screen together once again, this time stepping into the shoes of parents. They play the mother and father of teenage twins-Shikha and Nikhil-in Amazon MX Player's newly released series Co-Ed.

In an exclusive conversation with Filmibeat, Varun Badola and Rajeshwari Sachdev delve into the whirlwind world of teenage drama, modern-day parenting, and what makes their characters tick. They also share a fun, light-hearted take on the ever-evolving Gen-Z lingo that keeps parents-and even actors-on their toes.

1) The idea of boys' and girls' sections abruptly merging creates instant chaos in Co-Ed. What went through your mind when you first heard this storyline?

Varun Badola: It's a very interesting concept because everything happening with these kids is something we've experienced ourselves. The attractions at the age of 15-16, the bullying from classmates-these real, relatable moments are beautifully portrayed in the show. At the same time, it's not just about the teenagers. The parent-child relationships, their struggles, and how they navigate them together are also explored. Overall, it's a truly engaging watch

Rajeshwari Sachdev: I thought the concept was really interesting. Whether it's a boys' school or a girls' school, if you have a son and a daughter at home, there's always some chaos-and here, that chaos becomes even bigger because both schools merge for the first time. Naturally, the issues multiply, but that's where the fun lies. Boys' schools have their own challenges, girls' schools have theirs, and when everyone comes together, the dynamics change completely. The show also highlights how, in today's era, this can be challenging for parents as well, and it presents all of it in a very engaging way. The story and script are strong, and the way it's made is fun, relatable, and very entertaining.

2) You are parents to a teenager in real life, too. How much of your personal parenting experience naturally slipped into your character?

Rajeshwari: The characters we play in this show have their own challenges, but at the end of the day, you always know that they're still kids and we're still the parents. In life, it's very important to maintain that balance. Since we are parents to a teenage kid ourselves, we understand this dynamic closely. We've been the kids who once thought our parents were wrong, and now we have a child who thinks we are wrong. So yes, we do bring our own energies and experiences to the table.

Varun: Ultimately, there will always be some similarities. But within those similarities, you have to stay true to the character you're playing, and portraying that on screen is a challenge in itself. Yet, it's the kind of challenge that's fun-and that's exactly why we chose to be actors.

3) The show highlights the generational gap humorously. What's one modern-day teenage trend you still don't understand?

Rajeshwari: I still don't understand this whole "Yeah, bro!" culture. And now there's a new one - "yeah bruhh".

Varun: I don't understand their lingo at all.

4) Rajeshwari ma'am, Maharani 4 earned you tremendous appreciation, especially for the strength and steel in your character. What did stepping into a lighter, family-driven world like Co-Ed feel like right after that intense role?

You arrive on every set with a different script and a different mindset, and that's the real fun of being an actor. Honestly, it doesn't feel like a huge effort anymore. After working for so many years, it has become second nature to us. This is simply the way we've always worked.

5) Varun sir, tell us about your character in Co-Ed-what kind of father is he, and how different is he from who you are as a father in real life?

There is no similarity. The character I play in Co-Ed and I don't even belong to the same social strata. Your profession shapes a lot of things in your life. For example, my profession-acting-has changed my thinking process and overall approach to life. Someone from a business family will look at life very differently from someone who is the child of a performing artist. And that's the best part about being an actor-you get to play different characters with multiple shades every day. Otherwise, it would have become very monotonous.