Actor Vijay Varma, known for his roles in Gully Boy, Darlings and Dahaad, has opened up about his personal struggle with depression and anxiety during the Covid-19 lockdown. The actor shared that he felt isolated despite his professional success and credited Aamir Khan’s daughter, Ira Khan, and fellow actor Gulshan Devaiah for helping him during that difficult phase.
Vijay Varma opens up about mental health struggles
In a candid conversation with Rhea Chakraborty on her YouTube podcast Chapter 2, Varma reflected on how the pandemic lockdown deeply affected his mental well-being. “I was all alone in an apartment in Mumbai. Luckily, I had a small terrace where I could see the sky and be with the elements. Otherwise, I would’ve gone mad. Actually, I did,” he said.
The actor added that the sudden halt in work made him realise the emotional toll of constant hustle. “That pause, that constant running after work, the byproduct is that you become so lonely. I felt very lonely, very afraid and I was like why can’t I move from my couch for four days? What’s going on?” he shared.
Ira Khan was the first to notice the signs
Varma revealed that it was Ira Khan who first noticed that something was wrong and encouraged him to seek help. “At that time, Ira and Gulshan [Devaiah] were like my little support system. Ira was assisting on Dahaad, and we had become good friends during the shoot. We would video call each other on Zoom and have dinners together,” he recalled.
“But I kept deteriorating. She was the first to point out, ‘Vijay, I think you need to start moving a little bit.’ She would do Zoom workouts and make me work out,” Varma said.
Speaking to a therapist
Following Ira’s concern, Varma decided to consult a therapist online. “Eventually, I did speak to a therapist, on Zoom, and I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety. My therapist even suggested medication. I told her, ‘Let me try managing for now’,” he said, adding that the experience helped him understand himself better and take proactive steps toward healing.
Normalising mental health conversations in Bollywood
Varma’s openness adds to the growing number of Bollywood celebrities who are speaking publicly about mental health issues. Over the past few years, actors such as Deepika Padukone, Anushka Sharma and Ileana D’Cruz have also shared their experiences, helping destigmatise conversations around therapy and mental wellness.
Through his candid admission, Varma has highlighted the importance of support systems and timely intervention. His story serves as a reminder that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of success or fame.