MUMBAI: Student Of The Year (SOTY) discovery Varun Dhawan, who is currently in Bangkok with his SOTY co-star Alia Bhatt, is shifting base. From Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions which was almost like home-ground for the debutant, David Dhawan’s son has now moved to a home-production as his post-debut film.

A painful decision for the boy. But one dictated by practical necessity rather than emotions.

Until a few weeks ago Varun’s friends say he baulked at the very idea of doing a film outside Dharma. But now with Varun’s co-star Siddharth Malhotra being finalized for Dharma’s next film (SEE REPORT) Varun has no choice but to look beyond Dharma.

Yes, the two popular male Dharma discoveries of 2012, Siddharth Malhotra and Varun Dhawan have gone separate ways. While Siddharth would “most definitely” play a lead in  Dharma Productions’ next it is reliably learned that Varun Dhawan would be doing his father’s home production instead of a Dharma film.

Says a source, “Varun and Siddharth both got an equal share of attention and adulation during SOTY. They both consider themselves to be pukka Dharma boys. And Karan Johar treats all his three SOTY discoveries as his responsibility. But while Siddharth and Alia Bhatt have found a place in forthcoming Dharma films, Varun is yet to be positioned in any forthcoming film from Karan’s banner. Rather than wait indefinitely Varun has decided to do an outside film, his father’s.”

Apparently Varun got his fair share of offers after the release of SOTY. He fobbed them off and even snubbed his father’s offer, to remain ‘loyal’ to Dharma.

“But now things have changed. Varun is going head with his Dad’s film. He took Karan Johar’s advice on the matter before moving ahead,” says the source.