While conversations about mental health have increased over the years in India, the need to hear voices that can talk candidly, with no filters and no fear, has also grown steadily. Actor Vijay Varma is one among those voices; recently, he opened up about his intense fight with anxiety and severe depression. His candid revelations with Rhea Chakraborty on her podcast brought out the unseen struggles behind all the glitz and glamour of cinema.
Through his story, Vijay Varma breaks the silence on mental health and reminds people that vulnerability is not a weakness, but one major step toward healing. This blog explores his emotional journey, the signs he had ignored, the loneliness that consumed him, and, finally, the people who helped him find his way back.
Vijay Varma's Candid Confession: Understanding His Battle With Anxiety and Severe Depression
The day Vijay Varma landed on Rhea Chakraborty’s podcast, it was expected to be a great conversation-one filled with career enlightenment, experiences shared, and important bits of insight. Nobody anticipated a deep, raw personal confession that revealed how depression had silently crept into his life.
He said that the breaking point was when he couldn’t get up from the couch for four days. This was not mere exhaustion; it was a full shutdown, both emotionally and physically. Vijay admitted that he kept questioning himself on what happened, why he was unable to get up, and why his body just refused to respond.
The moment was one of the first major indicators that something was profoundly wrong. As is so often the case with people struggling with mental health issues, he initially passed it off as stress or tiredness, but soon the heaviness became impossible to ignore.
Loneliness and Burnout: How Vijay Varma's Isolation Deepened His Mental Struggles
It feels almost paradoxical to feel lonely when you live in a city like Mumbai, flooded with millions. Even amidst them, loneliness manages to creep in and nest inside. For Vijay Varma, this was a major contributing factor to his deteriorating mental health.
He remembered how he used to live alone in an apartment where the silence was overwhelming. He mentioned that having a small terrace gave him a chance to look up at the sky-a very simple act that became his lifeline during his worst days. It was the only moment of relief in an otherwise mentally suffocating environment.
Vijay admits that the quietness became unbearable, and at one point, he felt like he was losing his sanity. It’s a reality many people face but hardly acknowledge because most of our mental health struggles get masked behind smiles, routines, and busy schedules.
The Role of Friendship: Ira Khan and Gulshan Devaiah as His Biggest Support System
Behind every recovery story, there are people who act as anchors. For Vijay Varma, these anchors were Ira Khan and actor Gulshan Devaiah. Both recognized his deteriorating mental health much before he accepted it himself.
Ira Khan, who has spoken publicly about her own mental health journey in the past, was the first to observe this change in his behavior. She saw the early signs of burnout, emotional fatigue, and withdrawal-and she tried to broach the subject with him gently. But like many struggling with depression, Vijay initially resisted intervention, insisting he could handle everything on his own.
Despite his reluctance, Ira continued to support him. She motivated him to get up and exercise, start going about his routine again-even getting him to do Zoom workouts with her so he wouldn’t be alone. Gulshan Devaiah, too, played the role of an attentive friend-keeping in touch and being supportive without judgment. These friendships became the emotional lifeline Vijay needed during this time when he couldn’t recognize the severity of his own condition.
Accepting Help: Vijay Varma Diagnosed with Severe Depression and Anxiety
A point of inflection came when Vijay finally decided to consult a therapist. Therapy brought clarity and structure, not to mention much-needed professional guidance. It was during these sessions that he was officially diagnosed with severe depression and anxiety. Even after the diagnosis, he struggled to accept medication. This resistance is common in India, where people still associate antidepressants or mental health medication with stigma or dependency.
Vijay said he was very apprehensive at first, but over time, with counseling and regular therapy, he realized that seeking treatment is not a weakness. It is just part of the healing process, much like taking medication for diabetes or hypertension.
How Vijay Varma Began Healing: Yoga, Movement, and Breath-Led Practices
Once he accepted help, Vijay took gradual steps toward rebuilding his life from the ground up. One of the most effective tools he discovered was movement. He began practicing Surya Namaskars, yoga, and some simple breath-led exercises that allowed him to reconnect his mind and body. These practices not only helped him get physically better but also kept him emotionally grounded. Movement helped him break the heavy inertia that often comes with depression.
With time, the rhythm slowly came back. The sessions of therapy helped him understand his emotions better, and with regular practice, he felt more equipped to handle anxiety. Vijay spoke emphatically about how talking to a therapist, friend, or loved one made all the difference.
The Importance of Early Mental Health Intervention: Lessons From Vijay Varma's Journey
Vijay Varma’s case underlines an important fact: mental health struggles don’t always come with a splash of drama. They whisper much before they scream. Ignoring such early signs, emotional burnout, isolation, and breakdowns might be the consequences. His journey essentially taught readers that early help through therapy, lifestyle changes, or merely confiding in someone could circumvent deeper struggles later.
It also reinforces the fact that depression and anxiety do not discriminate. Even successful, talented individuals leading seemingly perfect lives can suffer in silence. Admitting to this reality breaks the stigma that still surrounds mental health in India.
On the Professional Front: Vijay Varma's Upcoming Film Gustaakh Ishq
On the other hand, while Vijay continues to focus on his mental well-being, he is also gearing up for his next, Gustaakh Ishq, in which he stars opposite Fatima Sana Shaikh. The movie is scheduled to hit cinema screens on November 28, and fans are already eagerly awaiting his return to the big screen with another impactful performance.
Despite challenges thrown at him, Vijay has never let his dedication to his craft waver. The way he strikes a balance between vulnerability and strength not only makes him a great actor but an inspiring figure for many.
Why Vijay Varma's Mental Health Journey Matters in Today's World
Stories like that of Vijay Varma remind one that mental health awareness is something one needs to plead urgency for. We live in times of brink-and-break existence and hardly take time to feel the depths within us.
By being vocal, Vijay encourages people to be in touch with their feelings, ask for help when necessary, and not feel guilty about depression. He breaks stereotypes with his honesty and gives countless people the courage to express their struggles. Final Thoughts: A Story of Strength, Recovery, and Hope More than a celebrity confession, Vijay Varma’s candidness is a beacon of hope. His journey shows that depression does not define a person, and recovery is always possible with awareness, support, therapy, and consistent self-care. His story reminds us most gently to look after our mental health, lean on those support systems, and take those steps toward healing slowly and steadily. Probably the most important: asking for help is not a sign of weakness, it’s an act of courage.
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