Before the world knew him as one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, Vijay Varma was living what he thought was his dream life. After the release of Gully Boy in 2019, his career was taking off, and projects were pouring in one after another. He felt unstoppable, until the pandemic suddenly brought everything to a standstill.
When the lockdown began, Vijay found himself completely alone in his Mumbai apartment. The silence was overwhelming, and the days started to blur together. He remembers how even though he had a small terrace where he could see the sky and feel the breeze, the isolation slowly began to take a toll on him. It wasn’t long before he noticed that he couldn’t even bring himself to move off the couch for days at a time.
During this difficult period, a few close friends became his lifeline, Aamir Khan’s daughter, Ira Khan, and his Dahaad co-star, Gulshan Devaiah. The three would often connect over Zoom, sharing dinners and conversations that helped ease the loneliness. Ira, who was assisting on Dahaad at the time, was the first to notice that something was wrong. She gently encouraged Vijay to start moving again, even joining him for online workout sessions.
Realizing that things weren’t improving, Vijay decided to seek professional help. Through therapy sessions held over Zoom, he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression. His therapist advised that they would consider medication if things didn’t get better, but for the time being, Vijay chose to focus on therapy and yoga as part of his recovery.
The process wasn’t easy. He recalls breaking down in tears on his yoga mat, overwhelmed by emotions he had long ignored. “It was deep depression mixed with unattended emotions and unresolved guilt,” he said, reflecting on how years of pushing forward in his career had left little room to process what he had left behind.
One of the heaviest burdens he carried was the guilt of leaving home and family to pursue acting. He often questioned if his decision had been fair to those who missed him most. It took time and perspective for him to understand that his success brought his family pride and joy, helping him finally make peace with his choices.
Today, Vijay Varma looks back at that period as a turning point. What once felt like a breakdown became a breakthrough, a moment that pushed him toward self-awareness and healing. His story is a reminder that even in the brightest careers, there can be silent struggles, and reaching out for help can be the first step toward light.
