Vijay Varma on OK Computer: This show is a stepping stone to building the genre

Vijay Varma

Building a futuristic world from scratch, fuelled by ideas and imagination, can be a rewarding experience. Creator Anand Gandhi's conviction in the imaginative universe that he was creating for OK Computer made Vijay Varma give his nod to the project. "We sat down for five months and understood their vision, which they had crafted over the last few years. This is a satire, and the pursuit was to ensure it's consistently funny. Anand is brimming with ideas. He spots potential, and his faith in me was inspiring," begins Varma, who along with Radhika Apte, leads the sci-fi web series that is set in 2031.

At a time when we are heavily dependent on our gadgets, the Disney+Hotstar offering points out how technology has started ruling mankind. "The narrative unfolds like a debate, weighing in the pros and cons of technology. It also offers a perspective on how to navigate when technology misfires. Since we haven't seen a sci-fi film in a while, this show is a stepping stone to building the genre. The genre is begging to be done justice to."

Radhika Apte, Vijay Varma in OK Computer

Interestingly, Varma's cop character is named Saajan, inspired by Irrfan's memorable turn in The Lunchbox (2013). He remembers that the late actor was battling cancer when they shot the show. "Now that we are in the midst of promotions, the reality of his untimely departure is hitting home. He created a quiet, melancholic character, and using his name is a tribute to the man who taught me the most."

Besides web show Mirzapur, the actor has a big-ticket film in Darlings that sees him play husband to Alia Bhatt. What's his modus operandi to juggle OTT and movies? "To say no a lot," laughs Varma, who burst on the scene with Gully Boy (2019). "But once you say yes, you go all in. I've been a fan of their [Bhatt and Shefali Shah] works. I can't wait to create this husband-wife chemistry, with a sprinkling of mother-in-law drama [from Shah]."