Vijay Varma, the actor known for his roles in films like 'Gully Boy', 'Darlings', and 'Dahaad', has recently revealed his struggle with severe depression during the COVID-19 lockdown. In a candid conversation with Rhea Chakraborty on her podcast "Chapter 2," Varma shared how Aamir Khan's daughter, Ira Khan, played a crucial role in helping him recognize his mental health struggles and begin therapy.

The lockdown in 2020 forced Varma to pause his busy life, which led him to confront his inner turmoil. "Lockdown was particularly difficult," Varma shared. Before the lockdown, he was constantly working on projects like 'Mirzapur,' 'She,' and 'Dahaad,' leaving him with no time to think about himself. The sudden silence and isolation made him realize how lonely he had become while constantly chasing work.

Confined to his Mumbai apartment, Varma found solace in his small terrace. "I was all alone in an apartment in Mumbai. Luckily, I had a small terrace – I could see the sky, be with the elements. Otherwise, I would've gone mad. Actually, I did,” he admitted. He described a period where he couldn't get off the couch for four days. "One day, I realised, why can't I move from my couch for four days?" Varma said.

During this challenging time, Ira Khan and actor Gulshan Devaiah became Varma's support system. They had become close while Ira was assisting on the sets of "Dahaad". "At that time, Ira and Gulshan were like my little support system," Varma recalled. They would connect via Zoom for dinners and conversations. Ira was the first to notice troubling signs in Varma's condition. "I kept deteriorating. Ira was the first to point out, 'Vijay, I think you need to start moving a little,'" he revealed.

Ira encouraged Varma to join her Zoom workout sessions. "She would do Zoom workouts and make me work out," Varma said. She also suggested therapy, telling him, "Therapy is not bad. You should try therapy". Varma eventually sought professional help and was diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. "My therapist even suggested medication. I told her, 'Let me try managing for now,'" he said.

Varma also spoke about how his childhood and relationship with his father contributed to his emotional struggles. He described his father as "flamboyant, short-tempered, unpredictable," which led to a strained relationship. He felt pressured to join the family business, but his passion for theatre led him to leave home and study at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII).

Through therapy and yoga, Varma began to confront years of unprocessed emotions. "During Surya Namaskar, I would collapse and cry for hours without knowing why," he shared. He also acknowledged feeling guilty about leaving his family behind. Varma believes that childhood wounds can affect adult relationships, leading to repeating patterns. "It shows up in your love life. You keep repeating patterns unless you talk about them," he explained.

Varma's journey to healing involved recognizing his struggles, seeking help, and addressing the root causes of his depression. He credited Ira Khan for her support and guidance in helping him take the first steps towards recovery.

On the work front, Vijay Varma was recently seen in "IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack" and "Murder Mubarak". He is set to star in "Gustaakh Ishq," which is slated to release on November 28, 2025.