Some actors are fortunate enough to break into the scene as antagonists and then get the opportunity to thrive in the protagonist's space, defying the world's tendency to stereotype them. One such actor is Vijay Varma, who made a name for himself by playing a troubled character in Pink and has since emerged as a leading man, despite having portrayed several deeply problematic figures on screen. Varma, now starring in the Netflix show IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, has built a reputation for playing complex, morally ambiguous characters—roles that go far beyond just being "bad." These characters are monsters. Yet, he has also found an audience that has embraced him in a wide variety of roles.

Vijay Varma On Audience Response

In an exclusive conversation with OTTplay, Vijay Varma spoke about his initial fear of how audiences would respond to his characters, and how he was pleasantly surprised by the positive reception. Over the years, he has played antagonistic roles in several films and shows, including Pink, Darlings, Dahaad, and She. His portrayal of Hamza in the Netflix film Darlings became a symbol of toxic masculinity for many viewers. This kind of role can take a toll on an actor, especially when they have to brace themselves for the public's reaction.

As Vijay Varma takes on the role of Captain Devi Sharan in IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, he joined OTTplay for an exclusive conversation with the show's team. When asked about his concerns regarding the public's reception—particularly because he is playing a real-life figure—the actor was optimistic. He expressed confidence in the extensive effort that went into creating the show and the other projects he has been a part of. Varma also praised the audience for being more evolved and understanding than he initially anticipated.

Vijay Varma said, "The fact that Captain Devi Sharan has written an extensive account of what happened, from which Anubhav sir has borrowed and added some details, gives me confidence. I really don't worry myself with the possibility of negative reactions. We all put in a lot of effort and dedication, and our single focus is to tell the best story we can. We strive to do our jobs with sincerity, discipline, and efficiency. If we take steps while constantly thinking about negative outcomes, we may not work with full conviction. Negative reactions are something I feel I don't want to be prepared for in life."

He continued, "I've taken on some incredibly challenging roles, portraying very problematic men. Initially, I was scared, but then I realized that people are far more intelligent than I gave them credit for, and they are more accepting of the characters I've brought to life on screen. When I did projects like Darlings (Netflix), SHE (Netflix), and Dahaad (Amazon Prime Video), I was worried about how people would perceive me. Would they be scared to be around me? I was so concerned that I stopped posting pictures of my family—my nieces, nephews, and mom—on social media. But then I realized that when something is good, people focus on the good parts."

IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack releases on Netflix on August 29. Stay tuned to Mobile Masala for more updates on this and everything else from the world of streaming and films.

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