Interview of vivek oberi and akshay kumar

Excerpts from an interview:

Tell us something about your role in Shootout at Lokhandwala?

It's Apoorva Lakhiya's film and I play the role of Maya Dolas there.

Can you tell us something more about the role?

Right now I cannot discuss more about the character I'm playing. But I'll surely add that I'm having fun doing the role and working with such a good team. The role is challenging and it requires lots of yours efforts.

With such kind of role are you moving away from romantic films?

When I sign a film I see what the role has to offer me, instead of seeing what kind of films it belongs to. I do my work only to satisfy myself because I am a selfish actor. I act for myself, not for anyone else and neither I'm striving to prove anything to anyone. I mould myself in the role I choose. Stereotype roles are not for me. I've done many romantic films and have enjoyed my role in them. I was as much excited about playing a romantic role in 'Pyare Mohan' as much doing Cassio's role in Omkara. Maya Dolas is something that I've never done before.

Rather when Vishal approached me to play Cassio alias Keshav Firangi for Omkara I refused to do it because I felt that I was not perfect for the role. I liked the character of Iago and Othello sounded more interesting to me. Vishal wanted me to hear the script once before I decide. And the narration hooked me. My next question to him was when could we start shooting. The layers in the character of Cassio that Vishal has developed are wonderful.

What are the changes that Vishal has made in Keshav Firangi from Cassio in Othello?

One of the striking aspects in the character is that he speaks English lot and also knows local language well, listens to English music, plays guitar, and is very charming. For his elocution of English he is nicknamed Firangi. I learnt to play guitar after Vishal insisted me to. I was always eager to learn the instrument and Vishal had organised a guitarist called Sarosh to train me before and after shooting. Saif Ali Khan is also a guitarist and he too helped me to learn the tunes. Keshav is strength of his force but is also cultured and soft-spoken. He is the next suitable candid for the throne of Omkara and succeeds him.

It's for the first time you'll be doing an item number in the film Omkara.

Yes the track is called 'Bidi Jalaike'. I've never demonstrated my dancing ability and the song gives me enough opportunity to gyrate. For this number I'm supposed to be completely sloshed and loved doing this rustic and energetic track. Choreographer Ganesh Hegde guided me with the jhatkas and latkas.

I'm pretty shy is all this matter and feel awkward to portray such emotion on screen. I am trying to get over my shyness now. I can't say much about the lovemaking scene. But Bipasha is truly very sensuous and off screen too she is very beautiful and strong.

How was it working for Naksha?

I'm doing the film with Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff and Sameera Reddy and it was really enjoying working with them. It's the first film of director Sachin Bajaj and he is also a close friend. I feel the film should do well as he is a good technician.

Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com

Excerpts from a chat:

How much did you enjoy the vacation in Barcelona?

I headed there right after the release of 'Phir Hera Pheri'. It was a much deserved break with Twinkle and Araav. I really wanted this. I loved the time I spent with my family there. It also refreshed me and regained in me the energy to come back and do more work here.

Some incident of stealing happened there we hear?

It was a stout local guy who bumped into me and flicked my wallet as I was stepping out of the casino. I didn't understand anything until I noticed him running at full speed. I followed him and chased him. I was at the point of grabbing him when he threw the wallet at me and ran away. I got my wallet back and there was nothing more needed. I was concerned about my credit cards and driving license, as it's quite painful to cancel them and re-apply all over again.

So after all those action, you're laughing with your comedies?

(Smiles) Comedy is crazy. I love and enjoy doing them. Generally I like doing all kinds of roles. That's the reason I'm trying to do different things in different films. It feels good at the end of the day when people praise you. Producers feel happy that it fetches them good sum. I also enjoy doing emotional films as much as I like doing comedy. I guess they are more substantial and people can relate to them very easily.

The great response of Phir Hera Pheri must have left you a contented man.

Surely I wasn't expecting the kind of overwhelming response that the film has received. The original film was one of its kinds and so it was a hit. I never expected that this too would be such a big hit. The first one was wonderful and I knew that the sequel would fetch audience. But the outcome is surprising. Among the two, Hera Pheri still happens to be my favourite. Yes, I'm very happy because the success of your film surely makes you glad.

Suniel Shetty, Ajay Devgan, Shahid Kapoor, John Abraham allege me for editing and thus I've also received several awards in editing. Did you know that in Barcelona this time I've attended an editing course to better my skills?

What is your next release you're looking forward to?

Currently I am shooting for Jaaneman. Other than that I'm looking forward to the release of a couple more films. I'm enjoying the films that I'm doing and I'm happy that the audiences are loving it too.

Copyright 2006 by MusicIndiaOnLine.com