'Gustaakh Ishq': Why Vijay finally said yes to romantic film
What's the story
After a series of intense roles in projects like Darlings, Jaane Jaan, and Dahaad, actor Vijay Varma is now ready to explore the realm of romance with his upcoming film Gustaakh Ishq. Directed by Vibhu Puri and co-starring Fatima Sana Shaikh, this will be Varma's foray into a love story. In a recent interview, he revealed that this shift from brooding characters to a lover boy feels natural to him.
Career transition
Varma's journey from stage to screen
Varma, who has a strong theater background, was not surprised when Puri offered him the role in Gustaakh Ishq. He told Mid-day, "I came from a stage background, the memories [of being part of romantic dramas] are living within me." "Mirzapur, Dahaad, and Darlings came back-to-back and [gave me] the intense tag. That tag won't be dropped even with this film."
Role selection
Varma's criteria for choosing scripts
Varma revealed that he has been offered many romantic scripts in the past but turned them down as they didn't resonate with him. He stated, "I don't want to dance a lot in movies. I don't want to sing and dance because they are not my forte." "So, I needed to pick the script that works for me." Gustaakh Ishq was a different case, and Varma lost his heart to the period love story.
Co-star respect
Varma's admiration for Naseeruddin Shah
Varma also revealed that one of the reasons he agreed to do Gustaakh Ishq was the chance to work with veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah. Although they had previously worked together on IC 814 (2024), they never shared screen space. "He was my teacher [at Film & Television Institute of India]. I've idolized him," Varma said. "I feel like patting my own back because as a boy in Hyderabad, I wished to meet him."
Career goals
Varma's future aspirations in films
When asked if he has any other wishes, Varma said he wants to do a comedy. "I have to do a comedy, not because I want to break an image, but because I want to do every kind of film. It's just a matter of time with the right script," he said. Gustaakh Ishq releases on November 28.