Fame often comes with a price and for Vijay Varma, that price was silence. After his reported breakup with Tamannaah Bhatia last year, the actor chose to step away from the public eye for nearly 14 months and now, he’s opening up about why.
Vijay and Tamannaah had been dating for around two years before parting ways. While neither of them officially confirmed the breakup in clear terms, reports suggested that differences about their future may have led to the split. Around the same time, Vijay noticed that conversations about him had shifted. Instead of focusing on his work, the spotlight was mostly on his personal life and relationship.
This constant attention didn’t sit well with him. The actor shared that the nature of public discourse has changed significantly. According to him, people today are more direct, often crossing the line with harsh and personal comments. He felt that negativity spreads quickly and instead of support, individuals facing criticism often receive even more backlash. He also pointed out that false narratives and exaggerated stories about him added to the stress.
Rather than reacting publicly, Vijay chose a different path, he stepped back. During this break, he distanced himself from unnecessary noise and shifted his focus back to what truly matters to him, i.e., acting. Known for his performances in Gully Boy and Darlings, Vijay decided to concentrate on building meaningful characters and telling strong stories.
But the break wasn’t just about work. It also became a time for personal healing and reconnecting with loved ones. He realised that over the years, his busy schedule had created distance between him and his family and friends. To change that, he made a conscious effort to rebuild those relationships. He recently moved into a bigger house and now ensures his family visits him more often. In fact, he shared that his mother, sister and nieces have been spending time with him, something he deeply values.
Friendships also became a priority again. Vijay admitted that earlier, he often couldn’t make time for friends due to work commitments. Now, whenever he gets free time, he actively plans to meet them, trying to restore that sense of connection and belonging.
Interestingly, Vijay isn’t alone in taking such a step. Bhumi Pednekar had also taken a nine-month break from acting last year due to excessive trolling. During that time, she stepped away from films, public events and appearances to focus on herself.
For Vijay, these 14 months were not just a break, they were a reset. He chose to step away from the noise, reconnect with his roots and return with clarity. Now, as he prepares for his upcoming project Matka King, it’s clear that the time away has helped him find balance again, both personally and professionally.
