Vijay Varma Recounts Early Career Hurdles and Industry Typecasting
Versatile actor Vijay Varma, acclaimed for his complex grey roles in projects like 'Darlings', 'Dahaad', and 'IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack', has recently opened up about the significant struggles he faced early in his acting career. In a candid interview, Varma revealed how Bollywood consistently typecast him in small supporting roles, despite his prestigious debut at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Unexpected Lull After Cannes Premiere
Vijay Varma recalled his first major international moment with the film Monsoon Shootout during a talk with PTI. He stated, "The first festival that I went to was Cannes with my film Monsoon Shootout, before anything had been released. I could not have done a bigger dhamaka (blast) than this, but after this, I was sitting idle for many years." As a graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Varma expected the Cannes exposure to open numerous doors in the industry. However, work remained scarce, and he found himself grappling with prolonged periods of inactivity.
Fighting Against Typecasting and Limited Roles
Even after securing small roles in films like 'Pink' and 'Raag Desh', Vijay Varma found himself restricted and pigeonholed. He shared, "From not having any work to doing smaller roles and then being restricted to them, it was hard to break out and do anything that is not a small part or not a friend who is giving a high five to the hero." He added that after being offered a substantial villain role, the industry quickly attempted to confine him to that specific bracket, a move he resisted strongly due to his desire for diverse and challenging characters.
Career Breakthrough with 'Gully Boy'
Vijay Varma's career trajectory changed significantly with Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy. Although it was a small role, his impactful performance brought him wider recognition and acclaim, largely thanks to the Ranveer Singh-starrer. Varma described his constant urge to break moulds, saying, "Every time somebody tries to put me in any kind of a cage or a mould, my tendency is to just break it open." This mindset has driven his choice of roles, leading to more nuanced and grey characters in subsequent projects.
Upcoming Projects and Future Endeavors
Vijay Varma is currently awaiting the release of his series 'Matka King', which features Kritika Kamra and Sai Tamhankar. His last theatrical release was the romantic drama Gustaakh Ishq in November 2025. Through his journey, Varma emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resisting industry stereotypes to achieve artistic fulfillment and success in Bollywood.
