As Gully Boy completes seven years, it’s impossible to talk about the film’s cultural impact without celebrating Vijay Varma’s unforgettable turn as Moeen. The role not only struck a chord with audiences across the country but also propelled Vijay into the league of the most exciting actors of his generation. Known for bringing intensity and depth to every character he portrays, Vijay found in Moeen a part that won hearts while earning him rave reviews and widespread acclaim.
Reflecting on how the film changed his life, Vijay once shared:
“When this film came out in the theatres, I was shocked actually. I had no idea what a successful film can do to you. So Zoya was like — I’m going to watch the film at Gaiety Galaxy, you want to come? I said, yeah, I’ll come. I came out of Gaiety, and for the first time I got papped. And I didn’t realise that they were all saying something, I couldn’t understand at first, but they were all saying their own version of ‘wade wade wow wow’ (the iconic scene) you know. For the next couple of years, it was just that.”
While the film’s success was transformative, it was the emotional core of Moeen that left a lasting impact on Vijay. Speaking about the scene that broke him, he recalled, “I think it happened in the jail sequence. Both Ranveer and I felt it. There’s a scene where he comes and says — I’m going to tell the police that you are innocent… And Moeen is like — You have a future. You have a dream. I don’t have anything. I was supposed to end up here. You know, that moment… in that silence, I felt like this man loves me the most and that broke me.”
Seven years on, Moeen remains iconic — a testament to Vijay Varma’s extraordinary craft.