Actor Vijay Verma, known for his remarkable performances both in films and on OTT platforms, is making headlines with his latest series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack. However, beyond his on-screen presence, Vijay harbors a deep love for video games, which he has cherished since his childhood. In this interview, he reveals his passion for gaming, his favorite retro games, and the struggles he faced in his acting career.
Vijay Verma’s Love for Gaming: “Mario Was My Start, and Silent Hill Fueled My Passion”
Growing up, Vijay Verma developed a strong liking for gaming, a hobby that has stuck with him through the years. He reminisces about the days when he played video games for hours, with Super Mario being his starting point. “I still remember all the eight stages of Mario,” he shares. Mario, a classic game many Indians are familiar with, helped Vijay step into the world of gaming.
But it wasn’t just Mario that captured his imagination. Vijay also discovered a fondness for more intense, narrative-driven games like Silent Hill. “In Silent Hill, you find yourself in a foggy place, searching for your wife. The surroundings are eerie, and things are always changing. It was like an alternate reality,” he explains. For him, gaming was not just a pastime; it became a way to immerse himself in different worlds.
The Rise of Zombie Games: “Horror Gaming Is More Exciting Than Horror Movies”
Vijay’s love for gaming isn’t limited to classic retro titles like Mario. Over time, he has ventured into more modern, action-packed games, with zombie games standing out as a favorite genre. He particularly enjoys titles like The Last of Us and Resident Evil, which mix horror and action.
For Vijay, gaming horror surpasses what horror movies can offer. “There’s something about zombie games where the world is ending, and you have to collect essentials like water and batteries to survive. It’s more thrilling than just watching a horror film,” he says. In Resident Evil 4, a game he highlights as his top pick, Vijay was captivated by the stunning graphics and gripping gameplay. “The remastered version was a huge hit too,” he adds.
Despite his deep interest in horror games, Vijay avoids certain titles like Grand Theft Auto, which he finds senseless. “I don’t enjoy games where you just crash cars or shoot people for no reason,” he clarifies. His taste leans towards games that involve strategic thinking, survival, and an intense storyline.
From Animation to Action: Vijay’s Favorite Childhood Films
Beyond his love for games, Vijay also fondly recalls the movies that shaped his childhood. Animated films and martial arts flicks played a significant role in his formative years. He talks about watching a dinosaur animation movie as a child, where a family of dinosaurs struggled to survive after a comet hit. “I cried after watching that movie,” he says, reflecting on the impact it had on him as a young boy.
Vijay’s father was a big fan of martial arts films, which influenced his tastes as well. Growing up in a household where Bruce Lee, Jet Li, and Jackie Chan were household names, Vijay developed an early love for action films. This admiration for action and fantasy carried over to Bollywood films like Ajooba and Hatim Tai. These films, with their grand adventures and heroic characters, left a lasting impression on him.
Bollywood Struggles: “Years of Waiting, But Nothing Released”
While Vijay Verma’s career today boasts many successes, the road to recognition was far from easy. He opens up about his long struggle in Bollywood, where opportunities seemed scarce and projects often got delayed. “I came to Mumbai with hopes of making it big, but for many years, nothing I worked on was released,” Vijay recalls.
His early days in the industry were spent doing theatre and small films, hoping to be noticed by someone in the industry. Vijay’s breakthrough came with Monsoon Shootout, a film that went to the Cannes Film Festival. However, despite the critical acclaim, the film did little to boost his career. “I had the lead role in Monsoon Shootout, but it didn’t help me land more lead roles,” he shares.
What made things worse was the constant delay of films he worked on. “I did several films with Tigmanshu Dhulia, but none of them released on time,” Vijay says. This period of uncertainty was a test of his patience and perseverance.
The Turning Point: From Pink to Gully Boy
Vijay Verma’s career took a positive turn when he got the opportunity to work in Pink. The film, which was released in 2016, became a hit and finally brought him the recognition he had been waiting for. “Pink was the first film that didn’t get delayed. We shot it in March-April, and it released in September of the same year,” Vijay recalls with relief.
This success was followed by his role in Gully Boy, which further established him as a versatile actor. “After Gully Boy, my struggles started to ease,” he admits. The movie’s success brought him new opportunities and a newfound sense of confidence in his career.
Embracing OTT and New-Age Cinema
Today, Vijay Verma is a prominent figure in both mainstream films and OTT platforms, known for choosing unique and challenging roles. The rise of digital streaming platforms has opened up new avenues for actors like him, offering more creative freedom and a wider audience reach. His latest series, IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, is just one example of how he continues to push boundaries and explore new genres.
As Vijay reflects on his journey, it’s clear that both gaming and films have played pivotal roles in shaping who he is today. Whether he’s battling zombies in Resident Evil or navigating the highs and lows of his acting career, Vijay Verma remains driven by a passion for storytelling in all its forms.
