- By Swati Singh
- Sat, 08 Nov 2025 09:15 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Actor Vijay Varma, who rose to fame with Zoya Akhtar’s 2019 hit Gully Boy alongside Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh, has since delivered several notable performances in projects like Baaghi 3, Darlings, Jaane Jaan and Dahaad, among others. Recently, the actor opened up about a difficult phase in his life, revealing that he battled depression during the COVID-19 lockdown. Vijay shared that he spent the lockdown alone in his Mumbai apartment, struggling with loneliness and fear.
Vijay mentioned that having a small terrace where he could look at the sky and stay connected to nature played a crucial role in keeping him grounded — admitting that without it, he might have lost his sanity during those isolating days.
On Rhea Chakraborty's podcast, Vijay said, "One day, I realised, why can’t I move from my couch for four days? What’s going on? At that time, Ira (Aamir Khan's daughter) and Gulshan (Devaiah) were like my little support system. Ira was assisting on Dahaad and we had all become good friends during the shoot. We’d video call each other on Zoom, have dinners, that was our circle. But I kept deteriorating. Ira was the first to point out, 'Vijay, I think you need to start moving a little.'"
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He further added, "I was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. My therapist even suggested medication. I told her, 'Let me try managing for now,’" he said.
Vijay shared, "Both brought everything to the surface. I’d get on my yoga mat, and by the third or fourth Surya Namaskar, I’d collapse, crying for hours without knowing why. It was deep depression, mixed with unattended emotions and unresolved guilt."
Vijay added, "I am glad Ira stepped in at the right time. She told me therapy isn’t bad. Coming from a dysfunctional family, if you don’t sort things out, it leaves a lasting mark. You think you’ve forgotten childhood hurt, but the subconscious remembers."