After several years of captivating audiences with his dark and intense performances in hit projects, actor Vijay Varma is preparing for a significant transformation. The versatile performer, known for his powerful roles in Darlings, Jaane Jaan, Dahaad, and the gritty world of Mirzapur, is now stepping into the light with director Vibhu Puri's period love story Gustaakh Ishq.
From Shadows to Sunshine: Vijay's Romantic Transformation
In an exclusive conversation with Mid Day, Varma opened up about this dramatic shift in his career trajectory, describing the move into romance as both risky and deeply familiar. While many viewers might find his transformation into a lover boy surprising, the actor insists it makes perfect sense given his artistic background.
"I wasn't surprised that Vibhu offered me this part," Varma revealed. "I came from a stage background, the memories of being part of romantic dramas are living within me." When Gustaakh Ishq was officially announced, the actor understood why some industry observers considered it anti-casting given his recent filmography.
The back-to-back success of Mirzapur, Dahaad, and Darlings had firmly established what Varma calls "the intense tag" in the public consciousness. He realistically admits that "this tag won't be dropped even with this film," acknowledging the lasting impression his previous characters have made on audiences.
Selective About Romance: Why Gustaakh Ishq Stood Out
Contrary to popular assumption, Gustaakh Ishq isn't the first romantic script to come Varma's way in recent years. The actor disclosed that "many romantic films came to me all these years, but I didn't see myself in them." A significant factor in his hesitation was his discomfort with typical Bollywood musical sequences that often characterize romantic films.
"I don't want to dance a lot in movies," Varma explained candidly. "I don't want to sing and dance because they are not my forte. So, I needed to pick the script that works for me." The gentler, more dramatic tone of this particular period romance finally felt like the right match for his artistic strengths and preferences.
A Dream Collaboration with Childhood Hero
Another compelling reason for Varma to embrace Gustaakh Ishq was the opportunity to work closely with legendary actor Naseeruddin Shah. While the two had previously been part of the same project in IC 814, they hadn't actually shared screen space in that film.
"He was my teacher at Film & Television Institute of India," Varma recalled with evident admiration. "I have worked backstage in his theatre productions. Ever since I came to Mumbai, I haven't missed a single play that he has done. I've idolised him."
The actor still marvels at how far that childhood admiration has taken him. "I feel like patting my own back because as a boy in Hyderabad, I wished to meet him. And here I spent two months with him in the winter of Amritsar, enjoying delicacies together," he shared, reflecting on the surreal nature of their collaboration.
Beyond Romance: Future Aspirations and Inspirations
Even as he embraces the romantic genre with Gustaakh Ishq, Varma is already looking toward his next professional challenge. "I have to do a comedy, not because I want to break an image, but because I want to do every kind of film," he stated. "It's just a matter of time with the right script."
The actor's taste in love stories is firmly rooted in cinematic classics. He describes Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge as "one of the most fascinating love stories I have ever seen" and praises "the sweet bond that the leads shared" in the timeless classic Sadma, calling it "something that I had never seen before or since." These influential films continue to echo quietly in his new romantic chapter with Gustaakh Ishq.
As Vijay Varma prepares to showcase his romantic side opposite Fatima Sana Shaikh in this highly anticipated period drama, audiences can expect to see a different dimension of the actor's considerable talent. While he may have built his reputation playing complex, intense characters, Gustaakh Ishq represents an exciting new direction that promises to expand his artistic range and surprise his growing fanbase.
