The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : ‘There are a lot of expectations from me'

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Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

‘There are a lot of expectations from me'

Omi Vaidya

His characterisation as ‘Chatur Ramalingam' in ‘3 Idiots' ranks among the most enjoyed performances of recent times. More of similar roles could stereotype him? “But people loved that and I don't want to disappoint them,” the talented actor Omi Vaidya tells T.LALITH SINGH

For most, Omi Vaidya might not ring a bell immediately. For such evocative has been his performance in Aamir Khan's runaway success ‘3 Idiots' that Omi is recognised instantaneously at the mention of ‘Chatur' or ‘Silencer'. Now, the actor is seen in Mahdur Bhandarkar's ‘Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji (DTBHJ)' cast along with Ajay Devgan, Shruti Hasan and Shraddha Das.

A graduate from Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and later Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, Omi looks forward to continue his ‘3 Idiots' success in Bollywood with ‘DTBHJ'. “There are a lot of expectations for me and also from me to do well in this movie. I hope it will also be loved by all,” he says.

He essays the role Milind Kelkar, a naïve poet and an idealistic lover who is smitten by an ambitious and practical girl played by Shraddha Das. For the role, he had to work a lot. “Me being from Los Angeles, I had to hone up the accent,” he smiles. A lot of choices came the way but he has been very choosy in picking a role. “I took this movie as it is special and am sure will do very well. I was loved as ‘Chatur' and have confidence that will be loved the same way in this,” he says.

Before his tryst with Bollywood happened, Omi had picked up the nuances of not only acting but also editing and filmmaking. In a way, the acting career began when he was just six and took to the stage for Marathi Mandal plays in the US. A brief affair with television roles and commercials there later, he got catapulted into the big league in Bollywood with ‘3 Idiots'.

On being cast in comedy mould, Omi describes himself as versatile and adds, “People want to see me in comedy. I can't disappoint them now. I can definitely do other characterizations later.”

Having worked both in the US and Bollywood, he feels the latter operates at a more personal level offering lots of socialisation. “There it is just work, work and work. Then you go home,” he says. Given his training in direction, is he looking at the possibilities of directing a film? “At one point it has to happen. Actually there are some stories and scripts being worked out,” he reveals. Hindi and Marathi is where he actually wants to work these out. Actors and directors he looks forward to work with? “I want to work with good scripts and talented people. Anurag Kashyap, Shabana Azmi, Nana Patekar and others who are so realistic with their work,” adds Omi Vaidya.

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