Mumbai. Vivek Oberoi made his Bollywood debut with Ram Gopal Varma’s 2002 film Company. Vivek’s father Suresh Oberoi was ready to launch him in his film. However, Vivek left the film because he wanted to debut in acting on the basis of his ability and capability. However, Vivek made a successful entry in Bollywood through ‘Company’. But he was initially rejected. Then he lived in a slum for 3 weeks. Paid its rent and then met Ram Gopal Varma again.
Vivek Oberoi said in an interview to Screen, “I went to meet Mr. Verma, he saw my pictures and rejected me straight away. He said that I look talented, but I am too polished and educated, so I am not fit for this slumdog Chandu (the character in Company). I just asked him for a meeting and he said why, I know you wouldn’t be fit for the role.”
However, Ram Gopal Varma decided to give Vivek another chance. Vivek said, “He was going on a trip for 3 weeks, so he said he would meet me after that. I did not go home from his office, I went straight to a nearby slum, took a room there, paid the rent and started living there. “I stayed there for three weeks and bought a Dictaphone, and I started recording the conversations of the boys there.”
Vivek Oberoi learned the nuances by living in a slum
Vivek Oberoi said, “I started understanding the nuances. I called a struggling photographer to help a struggling actor and take some pictures. I told him that if I was successful, he would shoot the first cover I showed him. Finally I got a chance to meet Mr. Verma. I reached there wearing the character’s clothes, hoping that he would audition me.”
This is how Ram Gopal Varma was impressed
Vivek Oberoi further said, “I wore slippers, ill-fitting pants, torn banyan and went inside. At the door, I lit a beedi and kicked the door open. I went inside with Swag, pulled a chair and sat down. I glared at him and threw my pictures on his table for him to see. Then he got up and told me that I was doing a film.”
Tags: Ram Gopal Varma, Vivek Oberoi
FIRST PUBLISHED: December 7, 2024, 12:41 IST
