Cinema VinesVijay Varma, who has earned acclaim for his work in films such as Gully Boy, Dahaad and Darlings, has revealed the hardships he faced before establishing himself in the Hindi film industry. In a candid conversation on Prakhar Gupta’s YouTube channel, the actor recounted a troubling episode from his early modelling days in Hyderabad, where a model coordinator attempted to make inappropriate advances. Varma said, “I tried modelling in Hyderabad, just small‑time, amateur‑level work. But I came across this weird model coordinator. He started to misbehave with me a little bit, like just trying to get a little touchy‑feely. I said, ‘Bro, what is this? What are you doing?’ So I got discouraged immediately.” The experience left him disheartened, but he chose to confront the issue head‑on and refocus on his true ambition: acting.
After the modelling setback, Varma pursued formal training, though the path was not smooth. He was turned away by a theatre school in Hyderabad called Sutradhar School of Acting, which told him that acting required long‑term commitment and dedication. Undeterred, he applied to the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII). His first attempt was rejected, but on his second try he earned a place at the prestigious institute, where he studied alongside future stars such as Rajkummar Rao and Jaideep Ahlawat.
Varma’s on‑screen journey has been marked by a series of strong performances. His most recent film appearance was in Vibhu Puri’s Gustaakh Ishq, a project that also featured Naseeruddin Shah, Fatima Sana Shaikh and Sharib Hashmi, and marked fashion designer Manish Malhotra’s debut as a film producer. The actor has also made a notable appearance in the web series Matka King, which follows the rise of a modest cotton trader who becomes a powerful gambling don by inventing a new game called Matka.
Through his openness about the challenges he faced—from uncomfortable encounters in the modelling industry to repeated rejections in education—Vijay Varma offers a powerful reminder of resilience. His journey from early setbacks to respected roles in Hindi cinema underscores the importance of perseverance and staying true to one’s passion.
