Omi Vaidya is an Indo-American actor who shot to fame with the movie 3 Idiots. Omi is an extremely modest and down to earth person who deserves all the success after the hardwork in the movie.
Team Okiedoks wishes Omi and his wife, a very happy and prosperous life and a blazing career ahead. Lets know more about him.
1. Kindly tell us something about yourself.
Hello Idiots, How are you?
I hail from Culver City, Los Angeles, but my native place is Goa, I have an ancestor home there. Therefore, my Marathi is better than my Hindi. (He laughs)
As a kid, I use to come to Mumbai during my summer vacations and use to travel in trains and buses but have never liked it because of the hot climate.
I started acting when I was 6, acted in various plays joint the Marathi Mandal and other acting groups. However, decided to opt for professional acting only at an age of 14 and so I joint Magnet School of Acting and then pursued an honors degree from L.A. Being an Indian, getting a role in the US is very difficult. I have done some ads and acted in American serials like The Office, Arrested Development, Kath and Kim, Bones and CSI: Las Vegas. I did courses in filmmaking and editing as well. The best part about Filmmaking was that it didn’t matter what colour your skin is, it was all about talent. My thesis films had won a few awards during college.
Acting came natural… Learning Direction and editing helped in acting.
Not many know but I had edited a few Hindi feature films in past with Gulshan Grover and Archana Puran Singh.
2. As you have worked with some American TV series, what is the principle difference between the process of filmmaking in India and filmmaking in the states?
The process of filmmaking is very mechanical in the States. People would keep on counting the number of hours and the money. Its all salary based there.
Filmmaking in India there is a personal touch. I would be sitting in my Vanity and then they will all call me for going partying or playing scrabble.
3. How did 3 Idiots happen?
I was in Mumbai when my friend Supriya Kelkar called me. She works with Vidhu Vinod Chopra group, and writes with Abhijat Joshi (who co-wrote 3 Idiots with director Rajkumar Hirani).
Supriya told me about the auditions for the role. Initially I wasn’t really keen on going for the audition since my Hindi was really bad, but then took it as an experience and went for it. In my audition, I had to say Sharman Joshi's and R Madhavan's dialogues, as they had not written Chatur's character yet. I wondered whether I would get through because I don't know Hindi much. My Marathi is better than my Hindi, as I used to do Marathi plays as a child.
Nevertheless, I got a call the next day, asking me to audition for an NRI role, which had not been written as yet. I said my lines with so many mistakes; I think that's how the 'balatkar scene' was written. After a month, I was called for a screen test in New Mexico. I was given the 'balatkar scene' and the 'tank scene.'
Raju called me personally and said that I had done a good job. He asked me to stop taking the Hindi classes that I had started taking, and to stop watching Hindi movies. He told me to gain 12 kilos, as the first schedule was in Ladakh.
4. After the auditions, were there any specific instructions given to you to prepare for your role in 3 idiots?
No instructions were given; in fact, I got the script only a few weeks before the shoot. Raju gave me a free hand. If I asked him about my dialogues, he would ask me to try them out and see which style sounds better. He wanted me to say the dialogues in incorrect Hindi, so he would not help me with my dialogues. I had to gain 12 kilos, as the first schedule was in Ladakh.
My wife Minal Patel was quite upset with me because I was fat right before my wedding in August, as we had to shoot the Ladakh scene again.
When Aamir came to know about my problem he said, “Imagine that after 20 years people would look at your wedding-pictures and they would tell you haven’t aged till date”.
5. When you came to know about your role, what was your reaction?
I really wanted a chance since I was very frustrated with the acting scene in the US and hence Chatur happened. I am always willing for challenges, as I had shot a movie in Mongolia, 2 years back. Therefore, you know, I always want to take risks and didn’t want to play safe coz then I won’t learn anything. I am not scared of being stereotyped like Chatur.
6. Which character do you relate to in real life - Rancho’s or Farhan’s or Raju’s or Chatur’s or none of these?
Not really Chatur, he is mean and jealous. I always wanted to be like Rancho, but its not real since his character is so flawless. However, I really want to be like Rancho.
7. Chatur’s and Rancho’s life wouldn’t have collided in real life so was it that necessary that Rancho wins all the battles in life? Any comments?
Films are supposed to send a message. People want happy endings. Therefore, Chatur can’t win and in real life as well, now with recession and everything job security is nil. People have 10 different jobs and no one can predict future.
The only thing is to stay happy no matter what you are. All you need is to have right people around you and you would be at ease. Acting makes me happy. Being on set and being with my wife are the two best things that I cherish. Rest is just to join ends.
8. Your role in the movie is equivalent as Aamir’s. Any comments?
It’s an equally important role as Aamir’s. Because the message won’t be clear unless Chatur is there. It’s an extremely critical role in the film. There is no good without bad.
9. How has life changed post 3 Idiots?
Everyone loves Chatur. I am happy if I can bring Joy and happiness to people.
(We can hear that Omi is chatting with fans and giving autographs while the interview is going on.)
On personal front, it’s a bit difficult since my wife is pursuing her PHD from States and I have to stay in Mumbai, that’s pretty upsetting.
10. Will we see more of you in Bollywood?
Hopefully!
As long as the audiences like me, I would be up there doing the thing I like the most, acting. There are a few projects I am in talks with, however, I can’t really announce them right now. There are a few who want to take advantage of Chatur, but I want to do something more. Comedy comes natural to me however; I am inclined to do things, which are challenging. I want to explore all the 3 dimensions of a character.
11. 3 things which the world doesn’t know about Omi Vaidya?
1. I am very unlikely and very sarcastic in real life
2. I just want to do good roles
3. There is nothing more than being home. Enjoying popcorns and movies with my wife.
12. Message for your fans and subscribers of OKIEDOKS?
Enjoy life and don’t worry much about the future. It is important to save money but other than that do what you want to do. Don’t rely on a formula.
Life is complicated; there are lots of loops, but if you really want something, you will get it for sure.
Kindly send your feedback/comments to cs@okiedoks.com or d@okiedoks.com