When I told Karan Johar he's acting really well, he asked me whether I wanted a role in his next - Vivek Oberoi
Courtesy: IndiaFM
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Post the success of Kaal, Vivek disappeared for sometime. He is now back with Sujoy Jhankaar Beats Ghosh's Home Delivery. With a new look and avatar, this film and Oberoi look the perfect flavour this Christmas season.
 From his brash-n-rash image since the Company days, the Masti man, on the contrary, comes across as a completely cool and approachable person. Here's an exclusive one on one with Vivek at his modest best.
Firstly why the alteration in name to Vivek Anand Oberoi?
My name has always been Vivek Anand Oberoi from my birth certificate to my passport. When I joined movies I decided to make it shorter and now I've decided to bring back Anand into my life. My mom suggested it and you could never argue with your mom. In the end she is always going to win.
What made you sign Home Delivery?
Home Delivery is an adorable film. It is something that I am proud to be associated with. When director Sujoy Ghosh narrated the film to me I was very excited. The film is based on subtlety. It will make you laugh, it will make you smile and at certain points it will touch you. It is a sweet film with family values that everyone can watch together, from grandparents to grandchildren.
Tell us about your role in Home Delivery.
I play Sunny Chopra who calls himself 'The Gyan Guru'. He is a celebrity who has his agony uncle column in a newspaper. He actually believes that the whole paper sells because of him and he thinks he has a solution to everything. He always makes up an excuse of not going to office and doing the work at home. So it starts out with this guy who thinks he can solve anything and it reaches to two days before Diwali where circumstances make his life topsy-turvy. It is an interesting exercise in humbling.
This is your second comedy after Masti. Did you have a different approach in this film?
Home Delivery is a completely different film. I was embarrassed half the time doing Masti because it was a sex-comedy. Then I used to laugh at myself saying that I am doing adult comedy. I used to look at Aftab and Riteish for the ease they were performing with. When Home Delivery came along I felt myself more at ease because of the opening that Masti gave me. I actually enjoyed the experience. I just let myself go and gave myself to Sujoy Ghosh.
How was it like working in another multi-starrer?
I have done many multi-starrers before but this was exciting because each person is playing a role with a different twist. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. This movie has captured that.
Sujoy recently said that after Juhi Chawla you have the best comic timing in the industry. What is your take on that?
Sujoy is a fantastic director and an even better liar. Juhiji has unbelievable timing. I don't deserve such praises. He's just saying that to promote his film. Don't believe that. (Laughs). I'm just OK.
 Tell us about your co-stars. How was it like working with them?
You tell me how it feels when you are surrounded by two beautiful women? It is a fantastic experience. Ayesha (Takia) was very sweet and a thorough professionally as well as the target of all my pranks. I used to pull her leg a lot and finally she complained to her mom. Her mom came in and I started pulling her leg as well. Mahima is fantastic. She is bold and blunt. I love people who say it as it is. She's also got a great sense of humour. So she was a great partner in crime. So we ganged up together and had a blast at the expense of others.
Boman Irani is someone I have learnt a lot from. He is a fantastic actor. He's always there when you need help. So I was very happy working with him. Post Home Delivery, I'm also doing Pyare Mohan with him.
Sujoy's last film was a musical hit. What do you think of the music this time?
Sujoy's last film Jhankaar Beats was about music and the influence of music in people's lives. He is a very smart director. Even here he's used music to take the film forward and talk about the film. So only when you see that and go with that flow, the music will make a difference. I'm sure the music of the film will do well once the film releases. There are 21 songs in the film.
There are a lot of cameos in the film probably the most in Indian cinema history. What do you have to say about that?
The cutest thing about the cameos is that they come like flashes. If someone says I'm going to the loo and coming back the cameos are over. I think that is because everybody loved the script so much.
You have worked with Karan Johar in Kaal where he was the producer. Now he is doing a special appearance. How is he on this side of the camera?
Karan is one of the best producers I have worked with. Dharma Productions just spoils and pampers their actors. He is a fantastic producer and I think he is an equally fantastic actor. I went to see him shoot. I was pulling his leg and teasing him throughout. I told him he's doing really well and he asked me whether I was genuinely saying it or because I wanted a role in his next film. We had so much fun laughing about, maybe a little bit maska. It's very sweet of Karan to come and act in the movie.
There are quite a few comedy movies coming up like Deewane Huye Paagal and Mr Ya Miss. Why do you think Home Delivery should stand out?
Each film has its own selling points. An audience member decides his or her own reasons. If I were to see the promos of Home Delivery, I would go to see it only for the fact that it is a completely clean comedy.
How do rate yourself as an actor today?
I think I can rate myself 2.2 on 10. When I came in the industry I could say I was a 2. It's difficult to grow as an actor. I'm critical of my own work. I never like it, which is why I leave it to my directors.
Your forthcoming films
I'm doing Naksha with Sunny Deol who is fantastic to work with. It is directed by debutant Sachin Bajaj who is really talented. Then there is Pyare Mohan, another comedy with Inder Kumar and there are a few films I am looking at to plan my next year.
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