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Bad boy Vivek Oberoi tells tabloid! how he spruced up his image, won back his fans and made good in the critically aclaimed Mission Istaanbul
Vivek Oberoi was touted as the next superstar after the twin successes of Company and Saathiya. But his quick rise to superstar status appeared to go to his head, with all sorts of demanding antics that are usually expected from more established actors.
His public spat with Salman Khan over Aishwarya Rai Bachchan (whom he was wooing at the time) ensured he was in the headlines for all the wrong reasons. He soon became the media's favourite whipping boy and, adding to his misery was his innumerable career flops.
He finally took stock of his position and made a grand comeback as a gangster in last year's hit Shootout At Lokhandwala. A year later, and he can now be seen in an action role in Mission Istaanbul. Oberoi speaks to tabloid! about his latest film and his new-found confidence.
Why did you go into hiding after the success of Shootout At Lokhandwala?
I think after the way the audience and my fans appreciated my character of Maya in Shootout At Lokhandwala, I wanted to do films with a lot of responsibility. I had to follow up with roles and films that live up to the audience's expectations and be highly appreciated. So there was no point being seen around as I was literally focusing all my energy and time towards Mission Istaanbul. I think in the past I have been in the news for the wrong reasons and now I want my film to do the talking.
You seemed to have sobered up in the past couple of years. Why such a change?
I wouldn't say that I have sobered up completely but yes, I have matured over the last couple of years and failure taught me a lot. In the past, I made a lot of mistakes and regret the decisions I took regarding my films. I probably got carried away with my stardom and lost focus on my professional life by not being able to choose the right roles.
I was lucky to have my family and friends support me through this lean period as I did a lot of self-introspection. I realised that I had to focus on doing limited but quality work with well-written scripts and roles.
So what's special about your latest role in Mission Istaanbul?
In Mission Istaanbul I play Rizwan Khan, a strong ex-Turkish commando who fights international terrorism. He is a sort of cool dude who is not frightened of any difficult or complex situation and has his own way of handling it. Whenever Zayed Khan's character is in trouble, I come like an angel and save him. My role has been very well-presented in the film by Apoorva Lakhia (director of the film).
How did you prepare for this role?
Since Rizwan Khan's character is a strong man, I worked on my physique to look tough. I lost weight and had to look fit for this role. I was given references of actual Turkish commandos and had to understand how they operate so that I could incorporate them in my character. Besides I had to train for some heavy duty action sequences and in fact I have done some death-defying stunts in the film, which should floor the audience.
Could you tell us about your rapport with Lakhia and your co-star Zayed Khan?
I am indebted to Apoorva as he gave me a new lease of life with Shootout At Lokhandwala. I have a fantastic rapport with Apoorva as I have been working exclusively with him for last couple of years. Zayed is a cool guy and I had a lot of fun working with him and partying with him in Istanbul.
What's next after Mission Istaanbul?
I will be doing a film for Karan Johar that co-stars Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. It will be directed by Rensil De Silva (writer of cult hit Rang De Basanti). I am excited about an action thriller with Tips Films and later I am scheduled to do a love story on the lines of Saathiya.
If a good role is offered, would you do a film with Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan or Salman Khan?
I am professional actor and I shouldn't have any problem doing a film with anyone. What has happened in the past should remain in the past. I would definitely accept any interesting project starring these actors.
Now that you are buoyant with success, are you ready to get into a relationship?
I am not planning to get in any serious relationship and I believe that it will happen when it is due to happen. Till then I am happy focusing on my career.
Bollywood's hot on the terror trail
When terrorism is the hottest topic of discussion all around, then how can the fable-tellers and dream merchants of Bollywood be far behind?
Every other movie coming out of the stables of the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry seems to be straining to unravel the mysterious lives, modus operandi and psyche of terrorists, with mixed results.
This year itself, Bollywood's master showman Subhash Ghai had chosen the subject for his rare though unsuccessful foray into serious cinema in Black and White, while debutant filmmaker Raj Kumar Gupta had used the same theme in his sparkling debut Amir.
Likewise, Khuda Ke Liye by Pakistani director Shoaib Mansoor became a hit in India as well as Pakistan. This week's latest high-pitch release Mission Istaanbul is yet another action-packed parable based on global terrorism.
“Terrorism affects so many people, from the victims, to their families and even to those associated with terrorists. You cannot say one party is right and the other is wrong as both think they are correct in whatever they are doing," said Apoorva Lakhia, director of Mission Istaanbul.
Coming out soon are films like Nishikant Kamat's Mumbai Meri Jaan that has a plot touching upon the Mumbai commuter train bombings of 2006, Hijack which is inspired by the infamous hijacking of an Indian airliner, Ruslaan that depicts the fallout of the train blasts in the life of a young Muslim boy, and in-the-making Khan, which dwells on terrorism and is a major departure for pulp filmmaker Karan Johar new face of villainy
Terrorists are the new faces of villainy in Bollywood with the peculiar characters in the past like Dr Dang in Karma or Mogambo in Mr India or Loin in Kalicharan making way for them.
The new faces of terror are men and women who look like any one of us and have their moments of emotional upheavals, indecisiveness and sometimes possible redemption.
From a faceless person to an identity akin to real life, terrorists in Bollywood potboilers have come a long way. Over the last decade, more and more films portrayed terrorists as Muslim, while turning a blind eye to terror perpetuated in other parts of the country.
Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt says that Islamic terrorism is an American doctrine that has found takers in India including the filmmakers. Bhatt, who had tackled the subject in his film Dhoka, says that state terrorism is the fountainhead of all kinds of terrorism in the society.
“Such tendencies flourish where there is a unjust society, no delivery system of justice," he said in an interview.
According to some commentators, filmmakers are increasingly glamourising the issue of terrorism. Terrorism has become an apt backdrop for showcasing action and high drama with towering infernos, men jumping from the 121st floor, women scrambling over each other to get out of a building on fire and terrorists being caught on the terraces.
Bollywood is at a stage where Hollywood found itself before reality hit America and the 9/11 attacks.
Hollywood scriptwriters now know that movies with terrorism glorified are no longer welcomed. With time, Bollywood too shall evolve and learn that terrorism is a serious political issue in which it is no longer possible to remain with taking stands.
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