In an unguarded and deeply personal revelation, acclaimed actor Vijay Varma opened up about his battle with severe depression during the COVID-19 lockdown. The Mirzapur star shared that the isolation and uncertainty of the period left him immobilized and emotionally drained. Varma credited Ira Khan, daughter of Aamir Khan, and fellow actor Gulshan Devaiah for helping him seek therapy and begin a healing journey. His candid disclosure underscores the importance of mental health awareness in the entertainment industry, breaking long-held stigmas around emotional vulnerability and psychological well-being among male actors.
A Hidden Battle Behind the Spotlight
The lockdown, which brought the entertainment industry to a grinding halt, also forced many actors into solitude. For Vijay Varma, it became an emotionally suffocating period. Confined to his Mumbai apartment, he found himself slipping into a dark state of mind — struggling to get off his couch, often crying without reason, and feeling overwhelmed by anxiety and helplessness.
In interviews, Varma confessed that days blurred together in silence and despair. He described the experience as one of “complete paralysis,” both mental and physical, where he couldn’t perform the simplest tasks. The introspective actor, known for his layered performances in Gully Boy and Dahaad, said the absence of work stripped away his sense of purpose, exposing emotional wounds he had long ignored.
Support That Sparked Healing
Recognizing his deteriorating condition, close friends intervened. Ira Khan, who has openly advocated for mental health awareness, encouraged Varma to take his first steps toward recovery through therapy and regular virtual workouts. Actor Gulshan Devaiah, a long-time friend and co-star, also became a source of strength, ensuring that Varma never felt alone through the process.
Varma began therapy sessions over Zoom and practiced yoga to regain balance. During these sessions, he often broke down, releasing emotions that had been buried for years. “It felt like everything I had suppressed came rushing out,” he shared, describing therapy as both painful and liberating. His story, though intensely personal, echoes the silent struggles of countless others who faced psychological strain during the lockdown.
Confronting the Past
Beyond the immediate stress of isolation, Varma linked his emotional turmoil to unresolved issues from his upbringing. He revealed that a strained relationship with his father and years of emotional repression had contributed to his anxiety and low self-worth. His early struggles — from financial instability to rejection in the film industry — had left deep scars that resurfaced when life suddenly slowed down.
By confronting these memories through therapy, Varma was able to understand the roots of his depression. “The lockdown didn’t break me; it revealed the fractures that were already there,” he reflected, emphasizing that recovery is an ongoing process rather than a quick fix.
A Wake-Up Call for Bollywood
Varma’s openness comes at a time when mental health remains a taboo subject in India’s film fraternity. The glamour associated with stardom often masks the personal battles actors endure behind the camera. His disclosure adds to a growing list of celebrities — including Deepika Padukone and Shaheen Bhatt — who have courageously shared their experiences, urging the industry to treat mental wellness as a professional necessity rather than a private burden.
Industry analysts note that such conversations are vital in reshaping the perception of masculinity in Bollywood, where emotional expression has long been stigmatized. By speaking up, Varma is helping normalize therapy as an essential aspect of self-care and resilience in a high-pressure creative field.
Redefining Strength Through Vulnerability
Vijay Varma’s story is not just one of struggle but of transformation. His willingness to discuss his mental health openly reflects a broader cultural shift — one that values honesty over perfection and healing over suppression. Today, as he continues to excel in his craft, Varma represents a new kind of strength: one rooted in vulnerability, introspection, and the courage to seek help.
In a society still learning to talk about mental health, his voice adds clarity and compassion to the conversation. It reminds us that depression is not a weakness, but a human experience that demands empathy, awareness, and action.
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