It was a bit surprising to hear him speak Hindi. His accent has a funny edge to it. One is reminded of the famous speech that he made in 3 Idiots.
“I am working on the accent,” said Omi Vaidya. There is mischief in his eyes. “I am a quick learner,” he added.
“I learnt quite a bit of Hindi has double meanings. That, I find very enjoyable.”
The actor, Maharashtrian by origin, and raised in California, has made quick progress in Bollywood. We saw him in films like Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji with Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi. He did some TV shows, and will direct a movie next.
“I went to the same school as Rohit Dhawan. Directing is my first love, “ explained Vaidya. “I know the nuances of editing and directing. It was probably why I did not need any formal acting training.”
He continued, “I know what a director requires. And what gets edited. I work only on those areas.”
Vaidya has been occupied with writing a script for his directorial debut for the last year and a half. He finally got the nod from producers to go ahead. “It is a supernatural, psychological thriller. It deals with the sixth sense. It is bound to be an innovative movie,” Vaidya remarked.
After his first film, Omi received many offers, recalling, “I was virtually assaulted by people who wanted me to work in their films. I was after something else in the comedy realm.”
He initially refused Madhur Bhandarkar’s role of the Kohlapure giuy who wrote Hindi shayari in Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji. “I was not sure if I would be able to do justice. But Madhur boosted my morale.” .
After a series of comic turns, the actor is game for a serious, lead role.
But he says “directors will have to take a risk on me.”
He believes that with every film, he has proved himself. Vaidya is now looking forward to working harder. If he gets something substantial. “The director should be sure about the subject. And what light he wants to present my character. As a person, I am a keen learner. Once assigned a task, I take it as a challenge and responsibility to be completed in good spirits. This has helped me find space in Bollywood, despite setbacks.”
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