Omi Vaidya
| Omi Vaidya | |
|---|---|
 Omi Vaidya while promoting Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji | |
| Born |
Omi Vaidya January 10, 1982 (age 34) Yucca Valley, California, US |
| Occupation | Actor, director, editor, writer, Television presenter |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Spouse(s) | Minal Patel[1] |
Omi Vaidya (Marathi: ओमी वैद्य) is an Indian American actor who is best known for his performance as Chatur Ramalingam or "The Silencer" in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots.[2] In addition, Vaidya has directed two short films and worked as an editor on others. He has also appeared in a number of television programs and commercials.[3]
Background
Vaidya was raised in Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, California.[4] He graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and later attended the University of California, Santa Cruz for two years. He next transferred to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and graduated with honors.[2]
Vaidya commented on his background in a recent interview:
I live in Los Angeles, USA.That's where I grew up, but every year we used to come to India. My native place in India is Goa and I also did visit Mumbai quite often during my growing up days. I started acting when I was about six in Marathi mandal nataks and some English plays in the US. I learned more about acting in high school and that's when I became really serious about films as a career. I went to NYU film school and learned the ropes of filmmaking, editing, acting, etc. I learned the technical language used on the sets. After graduating in honors from NYU, I went back to Los Angeles and began auditioning for roles in T.V. serials and films.[5]
Personal life
Vaidya married Minal Patel on August 22, 2009. He is father of a baby boy (24 June 2015).
Career
After college, Vaidya began to work with an agent and received small roles in television programs and commercials. After receiving a small role in Arrested Development, he was asked to audition for the role of Sadiq for The Office by the same casting director. He portrayed Sadiq in two episodes: "E-mail Surveillance" and "Fun Run." But he came into the limelight after featuring in the music video of the superhit Punjabi song "Kurti" sung by Bohemia The Punjabi Rapper and leagend of Asia rap. Bohemia is well known as King Of Punjabi Rap.
3 Idiots
Vaidya's most notable performance is in a supporting role in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots as Chatur Ramalingam (or "The Silencer"). He received strong reviews for his performance.[6][7] Vaidya auditioned for the role of Chatur while on a trip to Mumbai. After passing the first audition, he was asked during the second to read dialogue from Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Vaidya states that he "just rattled it off without exactly understanding the words ... almost like the speech scene in [3 Idiots]." After being hired for the part of Chatur, he was told not to study Hindi, not to watch Hindi films, and to gain weight.
Of his success in the film, Vaidya credits the atmosphere of the cast and crew stating that in Mumbai there is "a personal touch, unlike Hollywood. Even if they don't pay you by the hour and there is no extra time, there is warmth and care. I basically saw my Bollywood innings as a challenge. A lot of credit also goes to Raju and Abhijat Joshi for the way the character came across on screen."[2] He was also discouraged from providing interviews before the release. Vaidya states: "Before the film released, I asked director Rajkumar Hirani if I could give a couple of interviews. He stopped me saying nobody knew me and I should wait till the film is released. My role was a surprise they had planned for the audience."[8] Vaidya later recalled that, "When I was at the premiere of 3 Idiots, no one recognized me. I was a bit depressed but when it got over, it was difficult for me to even get out of the theater. I have been enamored by the love and appreciation I have received from the audience [...] Today, when I go out on streets, people come and shake hands with me… It feels nice."[9]
Awards
2010 Screen Awards
- Won: Best Comedian – 3 Idiots
- Won: Most Promising Newcomer – Male – 3 Idiots[10]
2010 IIFA Awards
- Nominated: Best Performance in a Comic Role – 3 Idiots
- Won: Star Debut of the Year – Male – 3 Idiots[11]
2010 Lions Gold Awards
- Won: Best Supporting Actor – Male – 3 Idiots
Filmography
Actor
| Film/TV Show | Role | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrested Development | Rav Nadir | 2005 | The Immaculate Election TV Series |
| The Office | Sadiq | 2005–2007 | E-mail Surveillance Fun Run TV Series |
| Rolling | Assar | 2007 | |
| Bones | Hamid Hirani | 2008 | TV Series |
| CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Unnamed Inmate | 2008 | Season 8 episode "Drops Out" (uncredited) TV Series |
| Life | Vairam | 2008 | TV Series |
| Kath & Kim | Prakash | 2009 | |
| Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight | Fish | 2009 | |
| 3 Idiots | Chatur Ramalingam a.k.a. "The Silencer" | 2009 | |
| Better Off Ted | Sales Man | 2010 | Season 2 Episode 9 |
| Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji | Milind Kelkar | 2011 | |
| Desi Boyz | Ajay | 2011 | |
| Players | Sunny Mehra | 2012 | |
| Jodi Breakers | Nano | 2012 | |
| Rules of Engagement (TV series) | Waiter | 2013 | Season 7 Episode 8 |
| Puncture Wounds | Sirish | 2014 |
Director
| Film | Year |
|---|---|
| Out of Time | 2007 |
| The Desert Rose | 2007 |
Editor
| Film | Year |
|---|---|
| Out of Time | 2003 |
| Delusion | 2004 |
| Bloodshed | 2005 |
| The Gold Bracelet | 2006 |
| Remember the Days | 2007 |
| Blind Ambition | 2008 |
References
- ↑ Parkar, Shaheen (January 11, 2010). "Wife's Chatur, too!". MiD-DAY.com. MiD DAY. Retrieved January 18, 2010.
- 1 2 3 Don't typecast me: Omi
- ↑ "Omi Vaidya: The 4th Idiot". oneindia.in.
- ↑ "CMFH Interviews – Omi Vaidya". criticalmassfilmhouse.com.
- ↑ "I don't want to play another Chatur" – Omi Vaidya
- ↑ "Masand's Movie Review: 3 Idiots, satisfying not best". IBM Live.
- ↑ "Review: 4 Idiots". Kolkatta Mirror.
- ↑ Idiot on the roll
- ↑ Chatur of 3 Idiots a rage in Bollywood
- ↑ Winners for Nokia 16th Annual Star Screen Awards 2010
- ↑
External links
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