Vijay Varma is receiving accolades for his performance in the recently-released romantic drama Gustaakh Ishq, where he stars opposite Fatima Sana Shaikh. The actor got speaking about his work in the film and more in an interview with us.

Vijay Varma on Gustaakh Ishq, “At a time when everything is loud and high-octane, this film gives you space to take a pause and reflect”

How would you evaluate your career so far?

I think my journey has been steady and honest.I’vetried to grow with every role, stay grounded, and keep learning. The loveI’vereceived makes me feelI’mmoving in the right direction, but I also know there’s so much more to explore. If anything,GustaakhIshq has pushed me to raise my own expectations and evolve even further as I’ve actually stepped out of my comfort to try something new.I’menjoying being instinctive about my choices and my career.

You seem very much at home playing the aspiring poet in Gustaakh Ishq, quite a change of image from your other roles. Don’tyou agree?

I’vereally enjoyed stepping into this new role, especially because my fans had been wanting to see a different side of me.I’vealways been drawn to the beauty of poetry, the way itletsyou pour out emotions so honestly and delicately. I grew up watching actors who carried that kind of emotional depth so effortlessly, and it left a lasting mark on me. So, feeling all the love and appreciation, has been incredibly meaningful.

The film feels veryold worldand quaint. What was it like for you to enter this world?

It felt incredibly calm and beautiful. I have seen the best of both worlds. I was there when letters and postcards and landline phone calls were a main form of communication, and now we can video call anytime. While filming, I often thought about how, even without modern technology, people still turned to one another. Immersing myself in that timeline, I realized how much time there was to truly discover and understand people. I had the space to invest in my character, Pappan, and build his chemistry with Minni and Babba through genuine interactions. I think I can honestly romanticize living in such an era, away from the hustle, bustle, and noise of social media.

How romantic are you in person? Do you believe in decorous courtships?

I enjoy making gestures, big or small, based on what makes me and my partner feel comfortable. I believe in a respectful, thoughtful courtship. In a relationship, I think we must help each other grow and move forward, while treating one another with genuine love and respect.

What was it like working with Naseeruddin Shah? Did he offer you any gyan on acting and living?

Working with Naseer sir is one of the best things I’ll take away from this film. Collaborating with an actor of his calibre and stature is rare and truly precious andI’mgrateful I got the chance. During the shoot, we had long conversations, many chais and meals… and spoke about our mutual love for the craft of acting. I even drew his sketch, and he graciously posed and signed on it. Overall, it was a wonderfully fun and memorable experience.

Manish Malhotra turns producer with this one. Is he as good at this as he is in dressing up people?

Absolutely! Critics and audience alike have hailed Manish’s creative lens. He brings the same attention and eye for detail to producing as he does to fashion. He understands emotions, aesthetics, and storytelling in a very instinctive way. Watching him produce the film with such clarity and childlike enthusiasm and audacity made me appreciate him even more.

In the era of Chhaava and Animal, where does Gustaakh Ishq fit in?

I thinkGustaakhIshq stands on its own because it leans into emotion, poetry, and human connection, something quieter but deeply felt. At a time when everything is loud and high-octane, this film gives you space to take a pause and reflect. It’s rooted in relationships, longing, and tenderness. So rather than fitting into the same lane, it creates a lane of its own.

What do we see you in next?

My new series Matka King is on the way, a project with Hansal Mehta, and I start a new project in the first week of December. And there are a few projectsI’mreading.