Vijay Varma is an Indian model, actor, and theatre artist. In 2022, he played the male lead in the Hindi Netflix film ‘Darlings’ starring Alia Bhatt and Shefali Shah.
Wiki/Biography
Vijay Varma was born on Saturday, 29 March 1986 (age 36 years; as of 2022) in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. His zodiac sign is Pisces.
Vijay Varma’s old photo
He did his graduation in commerce. In 2008, he graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 11″
Weight (approx.): 70 kg
Hair Colour: Dark Brown
Eye Colour: Dark Brown
Family
Vijay was born in a Marwari family from Rajasthan.
Parents & Siblings
His father runs a handicraft business. He has an elder sister named Shobha, and an elder brother named Manoj.
Vijay Varma’s father
Vijay Varma with his mother
Relationships/Affairs
Reportedly, he is in a relationship with the Indian actress Lin Laishram.
Vijay Varma with his rumoured girlfriend
Career
Odd Jobs
At the beginning of his career, he did a few odd jobs like selling mobile plans in Idea Cellular, selling petrol cards in Bharat Petroleum, and doing night shifts in a call centre.
Theatre
After completing his graduation, he joined a theatre group in Hyderabad. In 2005, he applied for the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune and got selected. He then performed in various theatre plays. In 2008, he shifted to Mumbai in search of work, he auditioned for a few TV commercials but did not get selected. A few months later, the Indian theatre director Tom Alter recommended his name for the English theatre play named ‘Three Short Plays.’ During an interview, while talking about working in theatres, he said,
I felt that some part of me was being fulfilled. Nobody like me or around me was getting into films or had an entry into this kind of a universe. So many people are good at something or the other, but they end up doing run-of-the-mill stuff and give up on their skills very easily.”
Vijay Varma performing in a theatre play
Model
Varma has worked as a model in various print advertisements and photoshoots. Initially, he used to get Rs 500 for a modelling assignment.
Vijay Varma’s old photos in a magazine from his modelling days
He has walked the ramp in many popular fashion shows.
Vijay Varma walking the ramp in a fashion show
Vijay has also featured as a model in one of the photoshoots of the GQ magazine.
Vijay Varma featured in GQ magazine
Short Film
In 2008, he made his acting debut with the Hindi short film ‘Shor.’
Vijay Varma in Shor
Film
Hindi
Vijay made his Hindi film debut with the 2012 film ‘Chittagong’ in which he played the role of Jhunku (Subodh Roy).
Vijay Varma as Jhunku (Subodh Roy) in ‘Chittagong’
Some of his other Hindi popular films are ‘Pink’ (2016), ‘Manto’ (2018), ‘Gully Boy’ (2019), ‘Bamfaad’ (2020), and ‘Darlings’ (2022).
Gully Boy (2019)
Telugu
In 2017, he made his Telugu debut with the film ‘MCA’ in which he played the role of Siva.
MCA (2017)
Web Series
Vijay has also appeared in a few Hindi web series like ‘Cheers-Friends, Reunion, Goa’ (2018; YouTube), ‘A Suitable Boy’ (2020; NNC One and Netflix), ‘She’ (2020; Netflix), ‘Mirzapur’ (2020; Amazon Prime Video), and ‘OK Computer’ (2021; Hotstar).
A scene from the Hindi web series ‘She’
Income/Fees
He charged Rs 85 Lakhs for the 2022 Netflix Hindi film ‘Darlings.’
Favourites
- Film(s): Maqbool (2004), Omkara (2006), Haider (2014)
Facts/Trivia
- During an interview, Vijay shared how he developed an interest in acting. He said,
Sundays at our home were allotted for movies, and every other hour was spent on the 500-strong comic book collection I owned. I watched a friend mimicing characters from Vaastav (1999). He was very good and I copied him; copy ka copy ban gaya, like diet Sabyasachi (a reference to an Instagram account that spots fake designerwear).” - In an interview, Vijay shared that one of his friends Vijay Ramnani helped him financially, while he was pursuing graduation in FTII. He said,
I got selected in FTII and somehow convinced my mother to allow me to go there. My father was on a business trip and then I decided to pack my bags and leave to FTII as I was afraid he would say no. My friend gave me some money for my expenses. When I was about to leave my home, I decided to call my father. I called him and said that I was leaving to FTII and I want to become an actor. My father said leave before I come there, and then I too a train to Pune. Although my father was not happy with my decision, he always supported me financially. He started accepting my work only when a article was published on me in a newspaper which my father used to read for 20 years. He then believed if this newspaper is writing something it must be true.” - While he was in FTII, he bought a Philips DVD player with a small screen. He used to watch films on the DVD daily to analyse the performance of the actors in the film.
- In his leisure time, he loves to hang out with his friends and read books.
- He is often spotted smoking and drinking alcohol.
Vijay Varma with his friends
- Vijay has been featured on the cover of various magazines like Tabloid and Reverie.
Vijay Varma featured on Reverie’s cover
- In 2021, he took to Instagram to talk about his car ‘Jeep Compass.’ He wrote the caption,
After stealing, fixing, driving, and selling cars onscreen…It’s time I finally got my own. Say hello to my new Love Interest.”
Vijay Varma with his car
- In 2022, while talking about his Netflix film ‘Darlings’ he shared that initially, Shah Rukh Khan wanted to play the role. He said,
Shah Rukh Khan was interested in playing the part. I remember somebody from Red Chillies had told me that when Shah Rukh sir read the script, he was like ‘agar main young hota toh ye role main hi karta (If I was younger, I only would’ve done this role)’, which was interesting for me to hear. That was also one of the reasons I felt like I can do this role, because if Shah Rukh Khan thinks that he can do this role, being an absolute lover-boy, national sweetheart. I was scared to take up a role like this but I am very glad that it hit the nail in the right place.”