He is noted for playing gangster roles in Delhi Belly (2011) and Dedh Ishqiya (2014) as well as other notable films include Stree (2018), Zoya Akhtar's Gully Boy (2019), Lootcase (2020), Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Gangubai Kathiawadi (2022).

[2] His gruff baritone voice has been used in voice-over work, including films and commercials.

He decided to focus on film career and moved to Mumbai where he gained a small but significant role in Ram Gopal Varma's Jungle.

Vijay Raaz did a cameo in Jaspal Bhatti's famous series 'Flop Show' episode 1.Naseeruddin Shah had seen him perform at the NSD and recommended him to Mahesh Mathai for Bhopal Express and to Mira Nair for Monsoon Wedding.

[5] His first mainstream film cast as the leading actor was Raghu Romeo, a box-office success where Raaz depicts the life of a confused lower-class Indian fellow.