VIVEK OBEROI
Cine Award Winner Of -
Best Debut Actor &
Best supporting Actor

Interviews Company

Interview with Vivek: Debut Film - Company

He isn't short of inches, talent or ambition. Add to that a dash of boyish charm and what do you have - a perfect recipe for a superstar. He certainly commands a presence. Chandu, a.k.a. Chandrakant Nagre of Company, displays immense maturity, a part played perfectly by this debutant. Nobody could have done it better. Not even those who had earlier experiences to boast off. It won't be long when Suresh Oberoi will be known as his father rather than the other way round. And that should puff Suresh with pride, certainly! Meet Vivek Oberoi!

To begin with, how was shooting for Company?

It was an amazing experience, to play a crime lord in Company. Hailing from the streets of Bombay, to being appointed as an assistant to a kingpin (Ajay Devgan) to becoming his extremely good friend and then sworn enemy, Chandu (his character) certainly comes a long way. I had prepared myself for the role from the very start. Stayed in a hut at Vikhroli for months on end to get a hang of how people live in the slums. Their mannerisms-the way they behaved et al. I met a few petty criminals too. I use to record whatever they had to say so as to pick up their style of talking. For instance, we generally say, 'main bol raha hoon' but they will say, 'main bolre lai na'. Even the pronunciation of certain words that they use is different from the way we speak. It is these little things that I played a lot of attention to! I also learnt a lot of new words. For instance, take a word like 'dhating' it means don't mess with me. By the time I walked out of Vikhroli I had gained quite good knowledge about the slums and could speak a totally new language (laughs). It gave me immense insight about people and the way they think and why do they think the way they think.

Was it useful? Could you use the colloquial words in the film?

Yes! I did make it a point to use the words in the dialogues. I could not use all the words, but most of them I did manage to incorporate in my dialogues.

Ramgopal Varma must have been helpful too.

No two ways about it! What I really admire about him as an artiste is that even though he has worked out the details of a shot well in advance with perfect clarity, he will still be open to suggestions and listen to what you have to say. He is not rigid but absolutely flexible. Any director in his place would never even think about altering what he has visualized but that is what makes Ramu stand apart from them. He has a democratic way of functioning.

And how was it working with the somber Ajay Devgan?

Hey he isn't serious at all. In fact, he is a fun loving guy and up to some jokes or the other on the sets. He often helped me with my dialogues and at times even told me how I should go about doing a scene. Also, while dubbing for the film, he helped me tone my voice, so as to sound more real. Actually why only Ajay, it was a wonderful experience to work with everyone--Antara Mali, Akash Khurana, Manisha Koirala and even Mohanlal. There was certain fire within us while doing this film. The ambience was energetic and the artistes were charged all the time.

How much do you hold your father responsible for your choice of profession?

Any child, at the end of the day, wants to be like his parents. I admire my father. But my decision to step into cinema was not because… "My father was an actor so let me also get into it"… but because of my love of acting. Neither did my father push me to get into it nor did I pursued telling about my ambition.

Then what sparked off the aim to be an actor?

I distinctly remember what sparked off that aim in. If you know in schools we do plays on Parent's Day. And there was this play I had agreed to do. I was barely six then. I was to play a soldier. I remember being backstage, all prepared to hit the stage! I was mumbling my opening lines under my breath. The minute I strolled up on stage, the first thing I did was look out for my parents. But I couldn't see anyone. It was absolutely dark. It was mesmerizing! I spoke my lines. And then there was no looking back as I performed the character of the soldier with utmost ease. So impressed were the faculties by my performance that they advised my father send me to theatre workshop in London. And my father did the next year. I was seven then. After that I just concentrated on my studies here. It was only after graduation that I enrolled myself to an acting school in London. I remember after having completed the course successfully, we were told to do some auditions. I was given a long sheet of dialogues to say. After reading it, I enacted it out in my own style, it was kind of mono act. I was not aware that someone watching me. He was none other than director of NYU. He took me to New York. And I did my post graduation in acting from there.

Having been in America and London for so long, it must have taken you time to adjust to the working style here.

Yeah! But even before I began working here, I wanted to see to it that shooting schedules don't overlap each other. It happened recently though. I just could not avoid it. In the day I would be shooting for Saathiya. And in the night for Company! It got quite strenuous. I'm going to see to it that this does not happen again because I like to be well prepared before I come on the sets to protect myself from the madness. But Varma Corporation has been an absolute professional. Have you seen Company? Are you satisfied with your performance?

I have seen some portions of the film and am fairly happy with what I have done. Of course while watching some scenes, like any other actor I too felt that I could have done better. But Ramu was satisfied with my work and I was happy to have lived up to his expectations.

Any message you want to convey to your fans?

Yeah! If you feel you are talented and want pursue your dream then please don't let anything bringyour passion die down. So what if you are 40! An art can be pursued anytime in life, it's not a machine or an instrument, so if you have it in you then get going without worrying about what others have to say.

You role in Company may not be negative but it has shades of negativity. It certainly was a brave decision to debut with such an unconventional film.

I don’t see it as a brave decision. Okay, may be most newcomers start their innings with a romantic film but not all love stories are successful. In fact, there’s no surefire formula for success. As an actor I measure success in terms of whether I have fulfilled my director’s vision of the character. Perhaps Company is not a conventional launch for a beginner but there’s no doubt that it is a great film, that Ram Gopal Varma is great director and that I have a great role in it.

Was Chandu, your character in the film, just a fantasy figure or was he drawn from real life?

He was liberally borrowed from life, my experiences and memories, my observations and interactions with the people I’d lived with in a slum in Vikhroli when fleshing Chandu out.

How different is Chandu from Vivek?

Oh, very different. To get into his psyche, understand him, I wrote an autobiographical sketch for him. I gave him a past which was very different from mine. I had a great childhood, growing up with parents whom I treated as my buddies. Chandu loved his family too but he grew up watching his father hammering his mother, in surroundings where fights were an everyday occurence, slowly growing immune to the violence and believing that weilding a gun was power.

You think so too?

No way! My concept of power is the ability to create, to translate ideas into reality. Creating something from thin air is perhaps the most difficult job in the world. Put a pen and paper in someone’s hand and ask him to draw a human face and nine times out of 10 he’s stumped. Creating a human being is even more complex, even more ardous because every human being is a sum total of the collective memories, emotions and experiences of so many different people. Human life, any life for that matter, is precious and it’s criminal to kill anyone or anything. Forget execution by the gun, I think that even execution by hanging is wrong. What’s good and bad are really relative terms at the end of the day and while I agree that we may need to punish certain people for the greater good of society, I don’t endorse the concept of capital punishment.


What about assasinations in broad daylight that take place everyday with alarming regularity because men like Chandu are handed the gun? While living in the slum you must have befriended guys like him and his ganglord.

I did not interact with anyone who enjoyed real status in the underworld. Those guys live on a different scale. But yes, I did meet guys like Chandu who run small gangs and believe that they were a part of the nexus when actually the powers that matter are completely unaware of their existence. There’s a certain glamour associated with crime and criminals in the minds of such unemployed youths most of whom are disillusioned with society. Some stand up and fight for a better life, others take their fight out into the streets without realising that what they believe is their strength is actually their weakness.

Will Company make you a cult hero like Bhiku Mhatre?

I don’t know what the film will do for me but I definitely didn’t do it with the intention of becoming a cult hero. In fact, I don’t even look like a hero in Company. I was told by several people that I should make an attempt to look good and endear myself to the girls. But I felt that this character needed to look and feel real so people could identify and empathise Chandu. I worked out everyday for an hour and 20 minutes to build up my body which I coloured in shades darker than my natural tone. I grew a beard and clipped it at certain places so it would look straggly and ragged. I sprayed my hair and then mussed it up so it would appear mangled and unruly. I wore chappals, my clothes were tight and ill-fitting and my gait awkward. I knew I was killing the lover boy image but at least my look was in keeping Ram Gopal Varma’s conception of the character. And today, I’m encouraged when the comman man refuses to believe that I’m the guy in the Company promos because I appear so different in real life. Just today I was carrying a poster of the film and I noticed the liftman at the hotel looking from the poster to me with puzzled curiosity, wondering if both of us were the same guys !

Is Company a sequel to Satya?

Bandit Queen and Satya are two of my favourite films but I don’t think Company is anything like these two films. It’s like comparing Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge to Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai to Kaho Na...Pyar Hai. The ambience may be the same because both films are set in the underworld but the story, the characters and the emotions are different. Within the genre of Satya, Company is a very individualistic film.

Were you influenced in any way by Satya?

I didn’t draw anything specific from the film but being an actor I’m trained to observe. I’m constantly processing data and creating memory banks. I mull over every film I go home with. (Smiles) Satya made me slightly more grown-up. And I’ve grown as a person and actor too with Company. It’s helped me realise my averseness to crime as a solution to any problem. It’s a weak mind that believes that and an absolute fallacy. Chandu also helped me realise how much better off I was from the rest. I’ve learnt to appreciate the opportunities that I was given and that I had once taken almost for granted.

Your father (Suresh Oberoi) has given some power-packed performances too. Which of them rank amongst your favourites?

I liked him in many films. Mirch Masala, Lawaaris, Shradhanjali, Aitbaar, Insaaf and of course, his first film, Ek Baar Phir. But there are an equal number of films in which I didn’t like his character and performance. What I admire about dad as an actor is the extent of realism he can bring to his performances. In this respect he was far ahead of his times.

To what extent is he involved with your career?

He is involved with the uninteresting and awkward parts. He handles dates, contracts and money matters that can get oh-so-boring. The good stuff like story and music sessions are my domain. We have our territories very clearly marked out. I don’t step on dad’s toes and he respects me enough not to interfere with my choice of films.

What about your mother?

Mom is a supremely content person who is really enjoying all the attention I’m getting. She’d never imagined even in her dreams that I’d get this kind of media hype but she is happy to see that I’m happy.

Are you really enjoying the media attention? Giving interviews round-the-clock?

To be honest I’m quite indifferent to it all. For me what’s important is that which is solid and consistent and I know that all this hype is anything but consistent. Right now everything’s inflated, a few weeks later things deflate. I don’t base my evaluation on something that fluctuates so frequently and alarmingly.

Getting back to your family, how are your siblings reacting to the prospect of suddenly having a star in their midst?

(Smiles) My brothers love me a lot and they are very excited for me. I remember the first time the promos of Company were aired there was turmoil in our three-storeyed bungalow. My parents and siblings were racing from one room to another flipping channels and shouting for me to see myself on screen.

Your brothers are also a part of showbiz, right?

Well, my elder brother heads a production house and an ad agency. The younger one has assisted on some projects. Right now he is in the US working towards a degree in direction at a New York university. I also have a sister, the baby of the house. She’s grown up sharing my dream.

What are the chances of the four Oberois collaborating on a film project?

The chances are dim. All of us have such strong personalities and definite ideas about everything. It’d have to be one helluva script to get us all together. I’m sure if my elder brother did put such a script together I’d find reasons not to like it or my younger brother would raise some objection. Even getting dad to be a part of the film could prove difficult. These days he’s leading a semi-retired life. Enjoying his golf, gardening and his farmhouse.

Most of Ram Gopal Varma’s proteges are in awe of him. Are you too?

I don’t know who’s greater, Ram Gopal Varma the man or Ramgopal Varma the film-maker. I guess, both because one makes the other. He’s so focused about what he wants yet works without rigidity. He’s always open to suggestions, appreciates you for your spontaneity and respects you for your improvisations which if good are unhesitatingly incorporated into the script. Most directors are so possessive about their project but not Ram Gopal Varma. And I just love his approach to life. He really enjoys what he’s doing. Even before Company is out in the theatres he’s already moved on to his next project.

Which is Road, right?

Right. It’s almost 75 per cent complete. A film like Road has never been made in India before. I’m sure it’ll open up new avenues in film-making.

You’re doing another film with Ram Gopal Verma besides Road, aren’t you?

Ram Gopalji is working on another script. Rock will be a musical.

What are your other films?

There’s Cineyug’s Dum. It’s a masala movie being directed by National Award winning director E Nivas. What make the film interesting is that a commercial subject is being treated within an ambience that is very real. The performance of the protagonist is not exaggerated or impossible. You won’t see him raise a fist and fell 50 guys at a time. E Nivas has taken a tried-and-tested formula and treated it in a very sincere manner with very real people.

There’s talk of you having replaced Abhishek Bachchan in Karan Johar’s next film.

I don’t think Karan has signed anyone for his film, neither Abhishek nor me. Yeah, he did speak to me about a film revolving around two fascinating characters, to be played by Shah Rukh and me. It was a brilliant script. But now I don’t think that film is being made, not for the moment. Karan’s working on another script and Nikhil Advani is making a film with Shah Rukh who’s recovering from a bad back injury. I don’t work without a full script. Once Karan is through with his scripit we’ll have a sitting and if the character is as fascinating as the earlier one, I’ll definitely be a part of Karan’s next film.

You’ve been approached by Farhan Akhtar too, we hear, for his second film?

I’m doing a film being produced by Farhan and Ritesh Sidwani which his sister Zoya is directing. There’s another film which Farhan is directing himself. I haven’t committed to that project yet, Farhan’s still working on the script with his father.

You must be flooded with offers?

I’m looking into a number of scripts. I met Subhashji (Subhash Ghai) recently to discuss a project. Then I’m doing Saathiya which is being co-produced by Mani Ratnam and Yash Chopra. Recently I spoke to Ashutosh Gowariker. I thought his Lagaan was an amazing film. Aamir was absolutely mind-blowing. Both he and Ashutosh have done us proud. May be they didn’t bring home the Oscar but their film was amongst the five best foreign films in the world and that’s quite an achievement. I was reading The Spirit Of Lagaan recently and it made me cry to learn about all the trials and turmoil Ashutosh and Aamir had gone through to bring Lagaan to life. (Laughs) Company was a cakewalk in comparison. Films like Lagaan and Company are slowly but surely changing the face of the Hindi film hero. And that’s the best thing that can happen to an actor. Today, I’m working in four films and in every one of them my role is different.

Is there any film that you regret turning down?

There was an offer for a film to be produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and directed by Raju Virani. Munna Bhai MBBS was a great script but I just could not coordinate the dates. But I could be working with Vinod in another film. I loved the initial story idea. Now Vinod is working on the script and once he’s through he’ll give me a call. I really admire Vinod. I think he’s a great maker.

Tell us something about Saathiya? Isn’t it a remake of Alai Payuthe that turned Madhavan into a sensation down South?

It is a remake of Alai Payuthe. The soul and spirit is the same but Gulzarsahab has rewritten the entire script, given it a more North Indian feel. The film is being directed by Shaad Ali, he’s Muzaffar Ali’s son. Shaad’s conceived the film in his own way so while Sathiya and Alai Payuthe are the same film Saathiya has its own identity. You won’t recognise in it many moments of Alai Payuthe. It’s a love story revolving around Rani Mukherjee and me.

How does it feel to be the hottest newcomer in town and all the top makers making a beeline for you?

Hey, all these guys are very senior film-makers. They’re not approaching me, I’m the one who’s meeting them. I’m honoured and privileged that they are considering me for their films. (Smiles) It feels nice. It’s a dream for any actor to have these kind of choices.

Don’t you feel a certain resentment amongst your contemporaries and colleagues?

On the contrary Ajay Devgan was like an elder brother to me from day one. After "pack-up" we’d go out together in the evenings. He was a great companion and a considerate co-star. So were Manisha (Koirala) and Antara (Mali).

Shah Rukh, it was reported, recently told someone that you looked like Sharad Kapoor.

I take that as a compliment. May be Shah Rukh thinks I look like Sharad Kapoor in Company but when he sees me in Saathiya with absolutely no make-up I’m sure I’ll remind him of someone else.

Ajay Devgan has been raving about your performance and screen presence.

Ajay’s very generous in his praise. I’m not all that good. For my performance in Company out of 100 I’d award 90 marks to Ram Gopal Varma. It was his clarity of thoughts and his belief in the character that really worked for me. Nine marks I’d give the technical crew and my cast who supported me all through the film. And may be I’d take credit for the remaining one per cent.

What made you decide you wanted to be an actor?

An actor’s life is so interesting. You never know when your co-star will blank out on stage in front of a live audience and you’ll have to come up with some impromptu lines that tides over the situation. You’re at Churchgate station, in khadi kurta and jeans, in the middle of a stage play, when suddenly two Pandu havaldars step out of the crowds and start wielding their laathis. You realise that you’ve forgotten to take permission to entertain audiences on the platform. There’s nothing for you to do but run for your life, jump into a speeding local train and then pray to God that you don’t fall into the clutches of a TT because you had no time to queue up for a ticket. Only an actor gets to play a woman in a school play without drawing cat calls. Only an actor can walk into a party and whip up a completely fictitious identity for himself and then when caught walk away with a smile. Only an actor would sit in a bus or a train and rehearse his lines in different voices, completely oblivious to the stares he is drawing. Our life is a crazy adventure everyday.

At the end of a hard day’s work how do you chill out?

I like to be with my family and friends. A good book, lip-smacking khaana, an interesting film playing on the DVD player, that’s my idea of a lovely, lazy evening.

How do you handle the blank calls...the sackfuls of love letters?

I get letters but not many love letters.

So your girlfriend has no reason to feel insecure?

No, she knows I’m not here for girls to go ga ga over me. For me the true certificate of acknowledgement is someone on the streets calling me Chandu bhai. Acting is a passion. It’s my pursuit of immortality. If I’m a part of a memorable movie I know I’ll live on long after I’m gone. Gurpreet can understand and appreciate that.

The other day your father was worrying about all the unnecessary risks you take when on the sets.

(Laughing) Shuru shuru mein khoon garam rehta hai, you tend to do crazy things. Some time ago I broke down a door in one shot and crashed through panels of glass. Another day I jumped from one building to another, 30-40 feet in the air, with no safety harness or crash pad. For yet another film I leaped from the top of a speeding truck into the middle of the Jaisalmer desert. I’ve taken risks but I believed in my ability, in the ability of my stunt directors. But now I’ll take more care, leave the risky business to the double trained for the job. I know today that this body is a tool for an actor and I should use it but not abuse it.

How did your girlfriend react to you taking such life-threatening risks?

There were times when she’d be upset. "Why did you do it?" she’d ask me. But at the end of the day I think Gurpreet understands why I do these things. She can see the excitement in my eyes when I’m on the set. It’s a different kind of rush. Acting is my drug...my opium.