Jahanpanah! Tussi great ho
Omi Vaidya on Chatur, Pappu, controversies and more
Deep Saxena
deepsaxena@gmail.com
Chatur Ramalingam, played by Omi Vaidya in 3-Idiots has moved to the next level, The 4th Idiot. But this time he is not delivering any speech. He can be heard giving voiceover in the animation film as Pappu. The actor along with producer-director Biswaroop Roy Chowdhury was in the city for the world premier of the movie that is surrounded by controversies. Though the production house has been served notice by the producer of 3-Idiots Vidhu Vinod Chopra, the premier of The 4th Idiot was held for students at City Montessory School auditorium on Sunday. HT City caught up with Omi at the premier.
So, how did Chatur become Pappu after being part of the biggest grosser movie?Washing his hands of the controversy, Omi says, “I leave that issue for the producer. It’s the cause that attracted me to the movie as an actor. I always wanted to do something for kids and this film gave me the opportunity. It will have a powerful impact on the kids with its mantra on how to de-stress and how to achieve excellence.”
Hasn’t he turned singer too in the movie? “Aah! I was humming the song Kar Bheje Ka Istemal in my own style when they heard me and decided to use it. Otherwise, I am just a bathroom singer,” he says.What’s next on his platter? “I will be hosting a quiz show Brightest Mind on a news channel,” he say before checking with his manager if can he reveal more about the programme. As she says no, ‘Chatur’ changes track, “I have some ad-films and a Hindi play which we will announce later.”
But how does he manage that given the fact that Hindi is still a struggle for him? “Yeah I know, but I am working hard. I can speak Marathi well but when it comes to Hindi I still fumble with gaye or gai and usey or isey. Probably the Hindi play will help me learn better.”Is he happy with his khichdi English and his accent? “Accent is something that won’t go so soon but one thing is sure. I won’t be doing a Chatur again — speaking with grammatical errors. The expectations are very high and I will be seen in roles that are out of my comfort zone.”
What’s he looking for? Character or lead roles? “I leave leads for other and will be happy playing characters that are at times more powerful than lead roles.” How about playing a villain? “Chatur was basically a villain but people liked him. If I play a villain someday it will be someone like a real life character — not a larger than life person!”
Does he plan to bring his wife into the mass media field? “No, she is of a different mindset. She is better off pursuing Phd from UCLA.”What about direction? “I have directed a couple of ventures earlier. I am looking into some projects.”Which perfume is he using these days, after 3-Idiots? “I am just using one deo,” he grins naughtily.
Jahanpanah! Tussi wakai great ho!
‘The 4th Idiot is somewhat inspired by 3-idiots’
Two times Guinness World Record holder (for memory and push-ups) Biswaroop Roy Choudhury is unfazed with the legal notice served by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. “He feels The 4th Idiot is somewhat like 3-Idiots but once he watches the movie he will understand he is wrong. This movie begins where 3-Idiots ends. This movie is a tool to teach students (and adults) mind techniques.”The movie is set up in the college of Phunsukh Wangru (Aamir Khan). “It is only inspired by that movie, that’s all. For that matter, we are also inspired by Einstein, Mahatma Gandhi and Vivekanand as you will see in the movie. Being inspired is not wrong and does not comes under the copyright law.”If required, he is geared up to fight the legal battle. The movie is a non-commercial venture and will be showcased in school and colleges free of cost. It has been made in 15 languages. On the occasion, a kit which also includes a book was released by CMS founder director Jagdish Gandhi.
