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"Relationships come with an expiry date. Love lives on"
You have to feel a bit sorry for Vivek. He isn't a bad looking guy. He's a fairly decent actor. Some of his roles have been very good. But the man is constantly in the line of fire from the media and his own fraternity. He goes to help during the tsunami, people snigger. He gets dumped in love, people snigger. His films bomb, people snigger. He does nothing, yet there are only sniggers. As his new film, Shootout in Lokhandwala, gets ready for release, we meet him at his Juhu home to figure what goes on inside the mind of a man everyone loves to hate. And to discuss his public run-in with Salman, and the abrupt loss of lady-love, Ash. This is a Shootout Interview in Juhu. This is Vivek doing what he does best in his films: Take the searing bullets on the chin.
What are you busy with these days? How many films on hand?
Nothing. No films.
You have no work?
No.
What's the problem?
I want to do only one film at a time. After the Shootout at Lokhandwala experience, I have realised I only want to do films that turn me on. I have rejected a lot of scripts. In between I got lost. Started doing many films at a time. And it affected the quality of my work, though I know there are actors who can pull off ten films at a time.
You started out with a bang. Everyone appreciated you in Company. It's been a downhill ride after that.
It's easy to pin the blame on one thing. Being a man is all about taking responsibility. So I would like to think it's totally my fault. I had a great start, and then I did some horrible work. No matter what the influences and pressures were, no matter whose voice was whispering in my ears at the time, it's my fault. What I lost out on was the soul I started out with. So I took some time off. And then Omkara happened. That's when I realised I should focus on one film at a time. For Shootout, I did extensive research on the character I play. Only because I wanted to be an actor again.
Do you ever feel you have been unlucky?
I'd rather be deserving than be lucky. I know of actors much better than me, and they haven't made it anywhere. So actually I have been lucky.
So then what made you change your name to 'Viveik'?
It's to do with my mum. When so much attack happens in the media, parents do get affected. She at one point said we should try the name change. I was embarrassed about it, but if there's one thing I can't do, it's say no to mum. But I am back to being Vivek now.
What's with this tsunami business? Jayalalitha says you only got involved for publicity. And fled when the media left Cuddalore.
Seventy two hours after the tsunami, my family and I took two months off and lived in that village. And we worked like mad, even ignoring the fear of an epidemic. We put up temporary homes, we arranged food, medical supplies. This month, Project Hope is achieving its completion down south. But, we had to shift to Pondicherry.
But what happened to the grand promises for Cuddalore?
We faced many spokes in the wheel. Everything became political. A conversions' lobby came to exploit the situation. They said they will construct houses only if the locals converted their religion. That lobby turned against me, they tried to buy me out! I threatened to file cases against some famous global NGOs, because they were charging me cash to supply medicines. One felt very angered by these heartless people. Even the locals turned the whole thing political. Some people were told, "Don't take houses from him, because you would then not get government money."
But what has Jayalalitha got against you?
Sorry, I am not at liberty to speak on that. But because there were so many issues, we had to move the project to another State.
Your colleagues from the industry tell me you got involved purely for publicity.
Come on, people give so-called anonymous donations to the PM's Relief Fund, and their names appear in the papers the next day. (Gets angry.) So who are these people to pass judgment on me? Why would I endanger my family's life and stay in an area where there is threat of an epidemic? I asked people to donate just one lakh rupees each, and most didn't come forward.
From your industry?
Yes. And from the Bombay social scene. So I find it really funny that such people should pass comments on me.
You got a lot of flak for the press conference you called to complain about Salman. Do you regret that today?
(Pauses.) People tell me I was influenced. That the circumstances were such, that I was being played. But if I take pride in being a man, I take responsibility with it, though I was a 25 year-old boy at the time. I have had regrets in life. But I do take the steps to right those wrongs.
There's something you are not telling us.
(In careful, measured words.) Sometimes, being a gentleman is about being able to swallow a lot. As for Salman, I think it was me who took our issue public. And over these years, having learnt from him, I realise there is a lot of dignity in keeping things personal, between two men. I want to reciprocate that dignity. So whatever happens between us now, I want to keep it one on one. I will never make that mistake again.
You talk about being influenced. Who influenced you to take such a drastic step?
I have my reasons not to speak about that. I will swallow the difficult truths.
Did Ash ask you to do it?
I cannot answer that question. I am a gentleman, help me stay as one. Which is why I will hold my silence.
You would have handled things differently if it had happened today?
Yes, totally differently.
The film frat came hard on you during the incident. You got isolated.
I don't blame them. I did go completely overboard.
On to Ash. Are you guys still buddies?
I think it's inappropriate to talk about the lady. Because when you do, it carries a reference to the past. She's a married lady now.
Why should a love affair break-up end the deep friendship people once shared?
I have had just three serious relationships. I only wish the best for all of them. And would like to continue to be friends with them. After all, one did share something special at one point. Even if the other person chooses to dis-associate, from my side, I wish them well.
Which is why I was surprised you were not invited to Ash's wedding. You were friends.
It's their choice. All I know is when I get married, I will definitely send out a lot of invitations. I will not be losing hair on deciding the guest list.
You will invite Ash.
The entire Bachchan family.
Repeat. You will invite Ash.
The entire Bachchan family.
What exactly went wrong with Ash?
There's great strength in silence. I have never spoken about my relationships after they ended. They (the ladies) may have bashed me in print, but I have never spoken.
Did you mess things up by talking out of turn about your affair in the media?
(Long silence.) I have always done my best to uphold the dignity of the women in my life. I have taken all the blame on myself because that is who I am. I am a love-fool.
Have you totally gotten over Ash?
(Long silence again.) Relationships come with an expiry date. Love never does. It lives on forever.
anil.thakraney@timesgroup.com
https://www.mumbaimirror.com/net/mmpaper.aspx?Page=article&am p;sectid=47&contentid=200705130225496097bcf3139
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