7 Must-Watch Vijay Varma Roles That Prove His Acting Range
Vijay Varma is one of Hindi cinema’s most compelling and exciting actors today, known for his intense screen presence, nuanced expressions, and ability to slip into vastly different avatars, from chilling villain to charming lover. Here’s a look at his 7 must watch characters/films that showcase his incredible range!
7 Must-Watch Vijay Varma Roles That Prove His Acting Range
- Moeen in Gully Boy
As Moeen, a complex, morally grey friend to Murad in Gully Boy – a street-smart mechanic and carjacker who also deals drugs, he feels real and grounded. Vijay Varma plays him with charm and depth, showing how someone survives in Mumbai’s underbelly: tough on the outside, but still capable of kindness. He’s not just a sidekick; he’s both a mirror and a push for Murad’s journey, making him one of the film’s most human and memorable characters.
- Hamza Sheikh in Darlings
In this dark comedy thriller, Vijay plays Hamza, the abusive, alcoholic husband, whose toxic behaviour slowly destroys his marriage. What makes this performance so powerful is how he humanizes a deeply flawed man, showing his charm, insecurity, and cruelty in equal measure, without turning him into a caricature. His ability to switch from sweet talk to sudden violence in a single scene leaves a lasting impact, making Hamza one of the most talked about negative roles in recent years.
- Anand Swarnakar in Dahaad
In this gripping crime drama, Vijay is a terrifyingly subtle serial killer, a polite, middle-class Hindi professor and family man who lures vulnerable women with promises of marriage, then murders them. With a chameleon-like calm and cold, reptilian demeanor, he masks his complete lack of humanity, making him one of the most chillingly realistic villains ever seen.
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Must-Watch Vijay Varma Roles That Prove His Acting Range
- Captain Devi Sharan in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack
Vijay portrayed the real life pilot of the hijacked Indian Airlines flight, Captain Devi Sharan with a mix of quiet dignity, fear, and resilience under extreme pressure. His performance captures the helplessness and courage of a man caught in a real life nightmare, grounding the high stakes drama with authenticity. It’s a role that shows his strength in portraying real life figures with sensitivity and intensity.
- Shatrughan & Bharat Tyagi in Mirzapur S2
In the second season of Mirzapur, Vijay plays twin brothers, Bharat and Shatrughan Tyagi, from a powerful crime business family. He brilliantly differentiates the two: Bharat, the elder, responsible twin, burdened with the family’s business, trying to be wise and understanding. And Shatrughan, the younger, wilder twin, seeking love and freedom, contrasting sharply with Bharat’s grounded nature. His double role adds a fresh layer of tension to the show and proves his versatility in a high octane crime saga.
- SI Ravi Shankar Tripathi in Kaalkoot
In Kaalkoot, Vijay Varma takes a refreshing turn as SI Ravi Shankar Tripathi, a naive, sensitive police officer on the verge of quitting when he’s pulled into a brutal acid attack case. What stands out is how he portrays a cop who is emotionally vulnerable, conflicted about masculinity, and deeply affected by the system’s failures. His quiet intensity, internal struggle, and growing determination to seek justice for the victim (who turns out to be the girl his mother wanted him to marry) make this one of his most empathetic and layered performances to date.
- Pappan in Gustaakh Ishq
In this romantic drama, Vijay plays Nawabuddin Saifuddin Rahman, also known as Pappan, stepping into his loverboy era. He portrays a struggling man from Old Delhi who runs a printing press, presenting a softer, more vulnerable romantic lead. As Pappan falls for a poet’s daughter, Vijay showcases a noticeable shift from his usual intense roles, bringing quiet sensitivity and classic charm to the character.
If you want to see Vijay Varma’s range in one go, start with Darlings for his dark, violent turn, then Dahaad for his chilling subtlety, Gully Boy for his grounded, energetic side then Gustaakh Ishq for his loverboy side. These films alone will give a strong sense of why he’s considered one of the most exciting actors of his generation.
Looking ahead, Vijay Varma has two exciting projects in the pipeline that are already generating a lot of buzz: Matka King, directed by Nagraj Manjule and an Untitled Hansal Mehta Project.