Source HT
MUMBAI – In a candid reflection on the volatility of fame, actor Vijay Varma recently opened up about a paradoxical low point in his career. Despite the glitz of walking the red carpet at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, the actor revealed he returned home to a stark reality: a complete lack of work and an industry that saw him only as a supporting cliché.
The “High-Five” Syndrome
Varma, now celebrated for his chilling and complex performances in projects like Darlings and Dahaad, shared that early in his career, Bollywood had a very specific, limited vision for him. He described being “boxed in” as the quintessential “friend giving a high-five to the hero.”
“I was the guy who stood next to the lead, cheered for his wins, and filled the frame without having a story of my own,” Varma noted.
The Cannes Paradox
The disconnect between critical acclaim and commercial viability became painfully clear after his film Monsoon Shootout took him to Cannes. While the international circuit celebrated his craft, the domestic market remained stagnant.
The High: Representing Indian cinema on a global stage.
The Low: Sitting idle for nearly a year after returning.
The Lesson: Realizing that “festival buzz” doesn’t always translate into “Bollywood scripts.”
Breaking the Mold
The drought eventually ended when filmmakers began to recognize his range beyond the “sidekick” archetype. Varma credited his persistence and a shift in the streaming landscape for allowing him to transition from the background to the center stage.
Today, Varma is considered one of the most versatile “antagonists” and character actors in the industry, proving that there is indeed life—and lead roles—beyond the hero’s high-five.
