Homi Adajania: Vijay Varma is a ‘top dog’ not an ‘underdog’ anymore

Director Homi Adajania, whose multi-starrer whodunit Murder Mubarak recently premiered on Netflix, described actor Vijay Varma as the “top dog” who isn’t an underdog anymore.

The film’s cast—Sara Ali Khan, Karisma Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, Vijay Varma, Sanjay Kapoor, and Suhail Nayyar—along with Homi—recently appeared on the IMDb original series Burning Questions. Sara plays rich-girl Bambi Todi in the film, who is also a kleptomaniac. When asked what she would steal from the cast of Murder Mubarak if she were a kleptomaniac in real life, she said, “I think I would take Tisca (Chopra) ma’am’s bilingual eloquence. Yeah, it’s amazing. I think Lolo’s (Karisma Kapoor) infectious energy while singing. Sanjay (Kapoor) sir’s selflessness. I admire Vijay's (Varma) versatility. I'd covet Homi (Adajania) sir’s patience, and Suhail’s (Nayyar) undiscovered talent. From Dimple (Kapadia) aunty, I would steal her timeless beauty and her hair. And from Pankaj (Tripathi) sir, I would take everything he embodies (sic).”

When asked which cast member's real-life personality is closest to their character and why, Vijay Varma responded, “I think it’s me. I mean, this character is an outsider on the inside, so I feel a connection with him.” Homi added, “Yes, I agree. Akash Dogra is a bit of an underdog. Not that Vijay Varma is an underdog anymore. He once was, and he's still trying to hold onto that part of his identity. But now he’s become a star, so he's the top dog (sic).”

Regarding Karisma Kapoor’s character in the film, Homi Adajania remarked, “Lolo is portraying a B-grade slasher flick, cult heroine in the film, which is quite different from her usual roles.” Kapoor herself added, “Yes, I think she was very different, eccentric, quirky, and a bit crazily weird. So yeah, she was very different from me (sic).”

Murder Mubarak released on Netflix on March 15.