I feel a certain sense of belonging in the industry now: Vijay Varma

Since his breakout role as Moeen in Gully Boy, Vijay Varma has carved a distinct space for himself in Bollywood, earning acclaim for his intense, morally complex characters. But the Jaane Jaan and Murder Mubarak actors says that hi recent projects have given him a chance to explore new dimensions. In a quick chat, Vijay spoke about breaking free from typecasting and finding his place in the industry.
‘The audience today is far too intelligent to box me into just one type of role’
While playing characters with shades of grey, Vijay admits that typecasting was a concern, initially. “Around 2022, when I was doing more of these roles, I had that fear of being typecast,” he says, adding, “But in the last couple of years, filmmakers have challenged me with characters that go against the grain.” Crediting directors like Sujoy Ghosh and Homi Adajania, who cast him as a cop and a lawyer in their projects, respectively, Vijay says, “The audience today is far too intelligent to box me into just one kind of role.”


‘I don’t submerge myself very deep into a character’
Irrespective of the character he portrays on screen, Vijay says that he has mastered the art of detachment. “I don’t submerge myself so deep into a role that I can’t resurface,” he explains. Instead, it’s the people he works with and the collaborative process that stay with him for a long time. “You almost fall in love with the director and the team. You’re aligned creatively – bonding and telling a story together. When the film wraps, there’s a sense of loss and sadness because that little family you created is gone. Then you have to create a new one, again,” he shares.


‘Earlier, the industry wanted me to push myself'
From being a struggling actor to one of Bollywood’s most sought-after names, Vijay acknowledges how far he has come. “I feel a certain sense of belonging to the industry now,” he says, adding, “Earlier, my name wasn’t recognised, my face wasn’t familiar, and I had to constantly explain who I was. Those struggles don’t exist anymore.” But now, he is navigating something else. “Expectations, that’s what I am navigating now. Earlier, the industry wanted me to push myself. Now, they believe what I do is enough,” he says on a concluding note.