Vijay Varma, the talented Indian actor, is currently attending the 76th edition of the Cannes Film Festival at the French Riviera. As part of the Indian delegation, Varma reflected on his Cannes debut in 2013 and how he faced challenges in finding designers to style him for the event. Varma’s film “Monsoon Shootout” premiered at the prestigious film festival a decade ago, and he recently shared his experiences during an interaction with Film Companion.
Recalling those days, Varma revealed that when he arrived at Cannes, he could only afford to purchase one jacket from Zara. However, for the main events, he was expected to wear a complete suit. Seeking assistance, he approached various designers and stylists, but they were reluctant to dress him, as they were unfamiliar with him. Varma said, “Who’s Vijay Varma? We don’t want to dress anybody.”
Despite facing rejection, Varma managed to find a solution with the help of a friend who gifted him a Zara suit. He wore this suit for the morning photo call at Cannes. Additionally, someone stitched a tuxedo for him to wear on the red carpet, allowing him to attend the prestigious event. Varma humorously described himself in the pictures, stating, “Now, that I have revisited the pictures after 10 years… I was like a Marwari Johnny Depp, with a touch of it.”
However, due to financial constraints, Varma did not have the means to purchase his own pictures when they were published on platforms like Getty Images. Reflecting on this, he shared his thoughts, saying, “When I saw the pictures, they came out on Getty Images and all these places, which I didn’t have money to buy from.”
Despite the challenges he faced during his Cannes debut, Varma admitted that he was naïve to expect designers to dress him and understood why they declined his request. He didn’t harbor any confusion or frustration about the situation, recognizing his lack of awareness at the time.
Looking ahead, Vijay Varma is set to appear in the film “Devotion of Suspect X” alongside Kareena Kapoor and Jaideep Ahlawat. His presence at the Cannes Film Festival showcases his growth and recognition in the film industry, as well as his ability to navigate challenges and make a mark on the international stage.
