Vijay Varma’s return to screens with Gustaakh Ishq felt like a long-awaited moment, especially for fans who had grown used to seeing him in a steady stream of projects. His absence sparked curiosity, not because people believed work had slowed but because the silence around him felt uncharacteristic for someone whose career had been on a rapid rise.
Now, Vijay has finally revealed what really kept him away. In a candid conversation with a leading publication, he shared that it wasn’t professional struggle but the overwhelming attention on his personal life that pushed him to take a step back. He said that somewhere along the way, discussions about his craft were overshadowed by everything happening off-screen.
Much like the recent debates triggered by Jaya Bachchan about intrusive paparazzi culture, Vijay acknowledged that the constant noise became too much to handle. He explained that when his projects weren’t releasing, the focus shifted entirely to his relationship with Tamannaah Bhatia, something he never wanted in the first place.
He spoke openly about craving stillness at a time when fame refused to let him have any. Even though he chose not to speak to the press for over a year, not since his work on IC 814: The Kandahar Hijack, the spotlight continued to chase him. He described this as a modern-day burden, one that comes with living in an age where every decision and every personal moment is examined publicly. He admitted he needed a break and wanted peace, yet felt he had no real control over how much attention followed him.
As he stepped back into the public eye with Gustaakh Ishq, people began calling this period his “lover boy” era. Vijay laughed at the label but understood where it came from, acknowledging that the public perception of him had shifted during his widely discussed relationship.
Earlier this year, reports emerged that he and Tamannaah had parted ways after dating for over two years. Although they ended their relationship, sources close to the two said they hoped to remain on good terms while focusing on their demanding work schedules. Their onscreen pairing in Sujoy Ghosh’s segment of Lust Stories 2, released in June 2023, had first drawn attention to their chemistry.
Now, with renewed clarity and a fresh release, Vijay Varma seems ready to let the conversation return to where he always wanted it — his work.
