Vinay Varma

Last updated

Vinay Varma
VinayVarmaDP.jpg
Born
Hyderabad, India
Occupation(s)Theatre practitioner, actor, scriptwriter, casting director
Website www.vinayvarma.in

Vinay Varma is an Indian theatre practitioner, actor, scriptwriter, and casting director. Straddling stage and screen, he has acted in and directed over 45 plays, while his film career includes more than 40 titles in Telugu, Hindi, Tamil, and one Hollywood production. His notable films include Fighter (2024 film) and Test (2025 film). His work further extends to the digital and television space, with roles in series such as Qubool Hai? and A Simple Murder. [1]

Contents

From academia to the arts

Born in Hyderabad to academic scholar Dr. Anand Raj Varma [2] , he grew up with the ambition of becoming a physician. When he failed to fulfil this dream, he turned towards the humanities. Over the years, he worked as a lecturer, news reporter, administrator, and translator before resigning from his banking career in the early 2000s to pursue theatre.

Over the decades, he has directed 45+ plays, acted in more than 50, and performed in 200 productions across India and abroad. Some of his well-known performances include Natasamrat, Raktbeej, [3] Main Rahi Masoom, [4] Siyaah Haashiye, Stronger Than Superman, Main Nathuram Godse, Death Watch, Kanjoos Makkhi Choose, [5] David Mamet's Oleanna. [6] [7] His play Main Rahi Masoom is based on the life of writer Dr Rahi Masoom Raza. Besides Hyderabad, Main Rahi Masoom has been performed in Kala Ghoda Arts Festival – Mumbai, 3rd Minerva National Theatre Festival – Kolkata, Pratyay Theatre Festival – Kolhapur, 12th Bharath Rang Mahotsav – New Delhi, 22nd National Drama Festival – Allahabad, 8th World Theatre Olympics-Chandigarh, Film and Television Institute of India-Pune. It was also performed in Chennai, Ahmedabad, Indore, Bengaluru etc. Vinay Varma was also invited by the Society of Friends International, London, to stage Main Rahi Masoom. [8] On 2 March 2018, Main Rahi Masoom celebrated its 50th show, at Ravindra Bharathi, Hyderabad, India. He directed Sutradhar's debut Marathi play, Passwala. It premiered on World Theatre Day 2024 in Hyderabad. Passwala brings to life Jayant Pawar's (senior journalist & playwright) dialogue with a crematorium keeper in Worli, Mumbai. [9]

Varma has been conducting Acting, Voice, Audition, and Body Language Workshops at Sutradhar since 1999 and has identified and trained more than 300 talents. Actors trained by him include Vijay Varma, [10] Sree Vishnu, Aditi Sharma (Ahana of Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki), Vijay Deverakonda, [11] Anand Deverakonda, [12] and Aberaam Varma.

Career

Filmography

Telugu films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2025ArtisteRavindra, a lecherous debtor (Krisheka Patel's father) [13]
2024 Dhoom Dhaam Narendra Bhoopathi, a ruthless businessman
2023 Waltair Veerayya Superintendent of Police
2023 Meter DGP Dileep Raavath
2023 Music School Govind Rao Bhaskar Rao Kulkarni, the supportive parentAlso served as the Casting Director
2023 Aadikeshava Vijay Mohan, Minister for Mines and Geology
2021 Zombie Reddy Bhooma Reddy, Lahari Shari's father
2021 Naandhi Nagendra, a corrupt ex-Home Minister
2021 Aakashavaani Dora, the main villainIn Telugu, Dora means lord, master, or chief.
2021 Drushyam 2 CI J. Prathap, member of Goutham's (Sampath Raj) investigation team
2020 V Sadique Hasan, the benevolent underworld don
2020 IIT Krishnamurthy ACP Vinay Varma
2019 Evaru Banerjee, Regena Cassandrra's lawyer
2019 George Reddy Minister Ramayya, the main antagonist who plans George Reddy's murder
2019 Meeku Maathrame Cheptha Avantika Mishra's uncle
2019 Dorasaani Raja Reddy, the Dora, the main antagonistIn Telugu, Dora means lord, master, or chief.
2019BoyMathematics teacher Nagendra
2018 Aravinda Sametha Veera Raghava Timma Reddy, N. T. Rama Rao Jr.'s grandfather
2018 Idam Jagath Police Commissioner Vikram Simha
2016 Gentleman David, Nivetha Thomas' uncle
2016 Terror DCP Rathod
2016ZindagiInterrogating Cop
2014 Anaamika CI Ravi Chandra
2012 Nippu Police Commissioner of Dubai
2012 Ko Antey Koti Inspector Ranjit Kumar
2012 Dream Doctor, Rajendra Prasad (actor)'s friend
2009 Ninnu Kalisaka Heroine's (Dipa Shah) father
2006 Veedhi Sivanna, Gopika's father, the main antagonist
2005 Danger Tantrik
2004 Tapana Siddhu's (hero) father
2002 Nee Thodu Kavali Manasa's (Charmy Kaur) father
2000LovePakistani terrorist

Hindi Films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2025 Jaat Superintendent of Police Vivek Kumar
2024 Fighter Air Commodore Debajyoti "Debu" Biswas, AOC, Air Force Station, Srinagar
2023 Music School Govind Rao Bhaskar Rao Kulkarni, the supportive parentAlso Co-Wrote the dialogues and
served as Casting Director
2022 Jersey Major Krishna Rao, Mrunal Thakur's father
2014 Yeh Hai Bakrapur Singhania, the right-wing party leader
2014 Bobby Jasoos Tasawwur's (Ali Fazal) father
2011Virgin Goat (Laadli Laila)Butcher
2010 Knock Out Police Commissioner
2008 Mukhbiir Underworld don Ismail
2004 Rudraksh Fake mantrik
2002 16 December Home Minister Shiv Charan Shukla
1999Tu Hi Meri GangaLoknath, the fake Godman

Hollywood films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2002 Beeper Tiger, Harvey Keitel's partner in drug peddling

Tamil films

YearTitleRoleNotes
2025 Test Dharmesh Agarwal, jeweller cum bookie
2014 Anaamika CI Ravi Chandra

Web series

YearTitleRolePlatformLanguageRef.
2022 Qubool Hai? Rafique pehelwan aha Hyderabadi & Telugu [14]
2021GameRana, the organ racketeer Hotstar Telugu
2020 A Simple Murder Politician Pran Dawas Sony Liv Hindi [15]
2019 Sacred Games National Security Advisor Netflix Hindi

Television

NameLanguageRoleNotes
BalaUrduMuazzam, the lecherous son of AurangazebDD National.
Daanav HuntersHindiLankeshwarEpic Channel
DayasagarHindi Judas Iscariot DD National
Dharti Bane PhulwariHindiDD National
Ek Kahani (Atmahatya)
Ek Kahani (Narsayya ki Baodi)		HindiChiranjeevi & bank loan broker respectivelyTwo Seasons - 1985 & 1989. On DD National.
Main Phir Janma HoonHindiBarabbasTelefilm. DD National.
MadhaviTeluguJaswant Rao, antagonistDD National
Manushulu – MamathaluTeluguProtagonistDD National
Naghme ka SafarHindiDoctorDD National
Peter the SecondHindiAntagonistTelefilm. DD National.
ShraddhaHindiPlayed a writer, husband of Rama Vij DD National. Also wrote dialogues for all the episodes.

Theatre

Latest Year of PerformancePlayLanguageActor/DirectorNotes
2025Passwala [16] HindiActor/DirectorRepresentation of Jayant Pawar’s conversation with
a crematorium keeper
2025Maha PeriyavaTeluguDirectorWriter Hindu Ganesan. Episodes from the life of 68th Jagadguru Shankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham - Sri Chandrashekharendra Saraswati VIII , also known as Periyava.
2025Ek Se Badhkar EkHindiActorAdapted from Sankaramanchi Parthasarathy's Abbey Em Ledu
2024Ismat - Ek AuratUrdu/HindiDirectorA collection of three short stories by Ismat Chughtai. Staged 15 shows so far.
2024PasswalaMarathiDirectorRepresentation of Jayant Pawar’s conversation with
a crematorium keeper
2023Dushala [17] HindiDirectorWriter Pritham K. Chakravarthy
2023RaktbeejHindiActor/DirectorWriter Dr. Shanker Shesh
2023Jugger'Naatu'kamTeluguDirectorWriter Srikant Sinker
2023Weekend [18] HindiDirectorWriter Nirmal Verma
2022Dhuli Kanya Dushala [19] BengaliDirectorWriter Pritham K. Chakravarthy
2022Main Rahi MasoomHindi/UrduActorBased on the life of Dr. Rahi Masoom Raza. Staged 65 shows so far.
2022Aadhi Raat Ke Baad [20] HindiDirectorWriter Dr. Shanker Shesh
2021Abbey! Em Ledu [21] TeluguDirectorWriter Sankaramanchi Parthasarathy
2019OleannaEnglishActorWriter David Mamet
2019Andhere Mein [22] HindiActor/DirectorPartap Sehgal’s Indian adaptation of Peter Shaffer’s “Black Comedy”. Sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Govt of India.
2019White Rabbit Red RabbitHindiActorWriter Nassim Soleimanpour
2017Sita Apaharan CaseHindiActor/DirectorWriter Dr. Prem Janmejay
2017Mah Laqa Bai ChandaUrdu/HindiDirectorWriter Dr. Oudhesh Rani Bawa
2017Bitter ChocolateHindi/English/HyderabadiActor/DirectorBased on Pinki Virani's book 'Bitter Chocolate'
2017Siyaah HaashiyeUrduActor/DirectorBased on a collection of 40 short stories by Saadat Hasan Manto. Staged 13 shows so far.
2017Kanjoos Makkhi ChooseDeccani/HyderabadiActor/DirectorAdaptation of Molière's The Miser
2017Jaal – Dramatised play readingHindiActor/DirectorWriter Annie Zaidi (writer)
2016Maryada (a collection of two short plays: Touch & Sita Shoorpnakha)HindiCo-directorWriter Shivani Tibrewala
2016Kisi Aur ka SapnaHindiDirectorWriter Nand Kishore Acharya
2016PushpHindiActorHindi translation of Girish Karnad's play, Flower.
2015Agnes of GodHindi/EnglishDirectorWriter John Pielmeier
2015Out at SeaHindiActor/DirectorWriter Slawomir Mrozek
2014Post MortemHindiDirectorWriter Milind Tikhe
2014Aamne - SaamneHindiActor/DirectorA collage of two short plays - "The Stronger" by August Strindberg,
"Maranoparant" by Surendra Verma
2014Birjees Qadar ka KumbaHindustaniDirectorAn adaptation of Federico Garcia Lorca’s The House of Bernarda Alba. Adapted and translated by Dr Raghuvir Sahay.
2014NatasamratHindiActorWriter Kusumagraj
2012Gadha Ya AadmiHindiVoice-overLeather puppetry show
2012Jungle BookEnglishActorDirected by Vaishali Bisht
2011Godse – An Assassin SpeaksHindi/EnglishActor/Co-Director Nathuram Godse’s Monologue
2011Isosceles TriangleEnglishActor/DirectorWriter Dr. C.H. Phansalkar
2010On VacationEnglishActor/DirectorWriter Sachin Kundalkar
2010Voids, S p a c e s & BordersHindiDirectorAn ensemble of 3 short performances
Dramatic Space Writer: Theo Lesoualch
Kisi Seema Ki Ek Mamooli Si Ghatna, Writer Sagar Sarhadi
Avoid the Void, Writer Shivani Tibrewala
2009Neem Hakim Khatar e JaanHindiActor/DirectorAdaptation of Molière’s The Doctor In Spite Of Himself (Le Médecin malgré lui)
2009Four DimensionsHindiActorA collage of four short plays:
“Gandhaari”, pieces from Dharamvir Bharati’s “Andha Yug”,
Benjamin Franklin’s “The Trial of Polly Baker”,
Syed Junaidullah’s “Death of Poem”,
Nathuram Godse’s Monologue “An Assassin Speaks”
2008KashmakashA mix of languages: English, Hindi, HyderabadiDirector/ActorAn organic play
2007UttararddhaHindiDirectorWriter Vijay Mondkar, translated by Anant Kulkarni
2007Shanivaar ke Do BajeHindiActorWriter Surendra Verma
2006Goodbye SwamiHindiActorWriter Susheel Kumar Singh
2006Atmahatya ki DukaanHindiDirectorWriter Asha Varma
2005Kissa Karodimal Ki Laash KaDeccani/HyderabadiDirectorDiwakar Babu’s Telugu play Kundeti Kommu. Adapted and translated by Anant Kulkarni.
2005Andhon ka HaathiHindiDirectorWriter Sharad Joshi
2005Room No 13 Block No 14HindiActor/DirectorWriter Srikanth Sinkar
2004Teen ApahijHindiDirectorWriter Vipin Agarwal
2004ChakravyuhaHindiDirectorWriter Rajesh Dhabre
2004The PhoenixHindiDirectorWriter Abhijit Sircar
2002Inspector Matadeen Chand ParHindiActorWriter Harishankar Parsai
2002Hay Mera DilHindiActor/DirectorWriter Ranbir Singh
2002DeathwatchHindiActor
2001PrastaavHindiActor/Director Anton Chekhov’s “The Proposal” adapted in Hindi by Anant Kulkarni
2001Budh Kaam ShudhHindiDirectorWriter I. S. Johar
2001AaropHindiActorWriter Suresh Khare, adapted by Anant Kulkarni
2000Saiyan Bhaye KotwalHindiActor/DirectorAdapted from the popular Marathi play Vichha Majhi Puri Kara by Vasant Sabnis
2000Kisi ko toh Jaana HogaHindiActor/DirectorBased on Subhash Parkhi's Marathi play Kalpana, translated in Hindi by Anant Kulkarni
2000Gandhi AmbedkarHindiActor/Co-DirectorWriter Dr. Premanand Gajvi
1999Raja ka BaajaHindiActor/DirectorFirst workshop production.
Writer Safdar Hashmi.
1996Kaath ka GhodaHindiActorWriter Manoranjan Das
1995Ballabhpur ki RoopkathaHindiActor/DirectorWriter Badal Sarkar
1993PhandiHindiActor/DirectorWriter Dr. Shanker Shesh
1988Langda GhodaHindiActorWriter Kadir Zaman
1988Stronger Than SupermanHindiActorWritten by Roy Kift, adapted by Anant Kulkarni
1987Guddi Pappu aur MunnaHindiActorBased on Volker Ludwig’s Max und Milli, adapted by Anant Kulkarni
1986Aage Daudo Peeche ChhodoHindiActorBased on Baban Prabhu’s Marathi play, adapted by Anant Kulkarni
1985Krapp ke Antim ShabdHindiActorBased on Samuel Beckett’s "Krapp's Last Tapes", translated by Vijay Ahluwalia
1983FiveEnglishActorWriter Shreekumar Varma
1982Tambe ke KeedeHindiActorWriter Bhuvaneshwar Prasad
1982Aage Aage Premchand, Peeche Peeche HumHindiActorWriter Venugopal
1981MahatmaHindiActorWritten and directed by Lingam Pandu Pradeep
1981CyclewaalaHindiActorWriter Venugopal
1981InterviewHindiActorWritten and directed by Dr. D.K. Goel
1980Brecht ke Laghu NatakHindiActorAdapted from Bertolt Brecht's short plays
1980Coffee House Mein IntezaarHindiActorWriter Dr. Laxminarayan Lal.
Varma's first play as an actor.

References

  1. ↑ "Guftagoo with Vinay Varma". Rajya Sabha TV. 21 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "Eminent Personalities".
  3. ↑ "Raktbeej Reality Bites". Deccan Chronicle. 14 July 2016.
  4. ↑ "Solemn soliloquy: Vinay Varma on playing Rahi Masoom Raza". Indulge Express. 28 April 2017.
  5. ↑ Ramakrishna, Lakshmi (28 March 2017). "'Kanjoos Makhi Choose': The miser and his miseries". The Hindu .
  6. ↑ "A Valiant Showcase". Deccan Chronicle. 23 March 2018.
  7. ↑ "Sutradhar's Oleanna — A Reflection On Academic Power Play". Times of India. 25 March 2018.
  8. ↑ "Hyderabad's play Main Rahi Masoom goes global". 25 June 2014.
  9. ↑ "A glimpse of life vis-a-vis death". 21 March 2024.
  10. ↑ "I'm in safe hands". New Indian Express. 19 December 2017.
  11. ↑ "Interview with Vijay Devarakonda". telugu360. 15 August 2016.
  12. ↑ "Dorasani Actor Vinay Varma About Anand Devarakonda | Vinay Varma Interview | Friday Poster". YouTube . 14 July 2019.
  13. ↑ "Artiste".
  14. ↑ Dundoo, Sangeetha Devi (14 March 2022). "'Qubool Hai' web series review: The Telugu-Dakhani series scores on some fronts and engages partially". The Hindu.
  15. ↑ "A Simple Murder Review – A highly entertaining comedy series | klapboardpost". 21 November 2020. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 12 February 2021.
  16. ↑ "A glimpse of life vis-a-vis death". 21 March 2024.
  17. ↑ "Dushala's unspoken truth". 7 November 2023.
  18. ↑ [shttps://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/sutradhars-adhikar-a-set-of-two-solo-acts-heralds-international-womens-day-in-hyderabad/article66566922.ece "Sutradhar's Adhikar, a set of two solo acts heralds International Women's Day in Hyderabad"].
  19. ↑ [shttps://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/theatre/sutradhars-adhikar-a-set-of-two-solo-acts-heralds-international-womens-day-in-hyderabad/article66566922.ece "Sutradhar's Adhikar, a set of two solo acts heralds International Women's Day in Hyderabad"].
  20. ↑ "Theatre stands tall: Thespian Vinay Varma". 25 March 2022 – via The New Indian Express.
  21. ↑ "Make way for some Slapstick comedy". www.newindianexpress.com. 11 November 2021.
  22. ↑ Sripada, Krishna (6 August 2019). "'Andhere Mein' : A dark comedy, quite literally!". The Hindu.
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