Vijay Varma reveals his acting secrets

In his journey as an actor, Vijay Varma has portrayed several memorable characters that have left a lasting impression on audiences, industry insiders, and critics alike. However, it is his meticulous preparation process that truly makes his characters shine and resonate with the masses.

In a recent interview, the versatile actor opened up about his approach to getting into the skin of his characters. Reflecting on his teenage years, Varma described a period of intense exploration. “I experimented with various things as a teenager. In my early 20s, I was searching for my path. My first dream was to become a comic book artist. I spent hours sketching and even wrote letters to Raj Comics. I eventually moved on to video games. For a brief time, I wanted to be a tattoo artist too. I knew I wanted to do something related to art and design. I even considered fashion designing. But my father threw each of these ideas out of the window. I was left with no choice but to run away from home.”

This journey of self-discovery laid the foundation for his acting career, equipping him with a diverse range of interests and skills that he could draw upon when building his characters. 

Varma’s process begins with in-depth research and an immersive approach to understanding his roles. "The key to unlocking an actor’s performance is preparation,” he asserts.

One of the first steps in his preparation involves mastering the character’s voice and language. “I try to sound like the character, using their language, accent, and surroundings as my starting point. For example, for Gully Boy, I studied the dialect of Dharavi, a Muslim neighborhood in Mumbai. It’s different from the dialect spoken in other parts of the city. Differentiating between them is important. I focus on the character’s voice and diction first, and then move on to other aspects of the role,” Varma reveals.

Vijay’s dedication to authenticity extends beyond just vocal training. Varma dives deep into understanding the socio-cultural context of his characters. By immersing himself in their world, he is able to bring a level of realism and depth to his performances that resonates strongly with audiences. 

In 2024, Vijay is set to reaffirm his status as a force to be reckoned with in the industry. With a line-up of five diverse projects, Varma is set to mesmerize audiences once again. From the emotional depth of 'Ul Jalool Ishq', and the high-octane drama of 'IC814 – The Khandahar Hijack' to the gritty realism of 'Mirzapur' and 'Matka King', Varma’s versatility and bankability knows no bounds.