Gully Boy came to me at my lowest: Vijay Varma

As Vijay Varma prepares for his upcoming OTT series Matka King, the actor finds himself reflecting on the early struggles that defined his journey in Mumbai — experiences he says closely mirror those of his character.

Speaking about the character’s philosophy, Vijay highlights a line that resonates with him: “Mujhe na jyada jeetna hai na jyada haarna hai.”




He admits the sentiment has since become personal. “I’m living by that philosophy in life,” he says, pointing to a more balanced outlook shaped by years in the industry. The role also mirrors his own beginnings. Recalling his arrival in Mumbai, the actor shares, “I had come with one suitcase with a few clothes and books.” Much like his character, who questions why the underprivileged cannot dream big, Vijay carried similar aspirations. “I came with dreams. I relate to that part of his journey with my own,” he adds.

Drawing an interesting thread across his performances, Vijay referenced his portrayal of Hamza in Darlings, noting the recurrence of the name in other narratives. With a touch of humour and insight, he says, “When life throws Hamza at you, make it a Dhurandhar Hamza and not a Darlings Hamza,” hinting at transformation and resilience. Looking back, he credits Gully Boy as a defining moment in his career. “I’m thankful I got to do the film when I was at my lowest,” he says, acknowledging how the project marked a turning point and helped shift his trajectory in the industry.Get the latest entertainment updates from the Times of India, along with the latest Hindi movies, upcoming Hindi movies in 2026 , and Telugu movies.”