Vivek Oberoi speaks about Yuva 
By IndiaFM News Bureau, May 19, 2004 - 04:49 IST
In an exclusive interview to IndiaFM, Vivek Oberoi speaks about his forthcoming movie Yuva.
You are working with so many stars like Ajay Devgan, Abhishek Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. Tell us something about your experience while working with them?
My interaction in the movie was more with my co-star Kareena, my director Mani sir, Ajay and Abhishek. I, Mani sir, Ajay and Abhishek enjoyed while working in this movie creating a light atmosphere full of fun. Ajay, Abhishek and Mani sir supported me morally just like real brothers would when I was being rushed to the hospital after having met with an accident. Even with a fracture in my leg, I continued flirting with the beautiful nurses of Calcutta and managed to fool the doctors with loud expressions of pain, which they thought was a result of head injury (When they saw my head totally drenched with blood.) But that was actually artificial blood, which was applied during the shoot before I met with an accident. Mani sir, Abhishek and Ajay made fun of me and continued to mimic me .It was only later when the case turned complicated and I was moved to Mumbai, I realized that my bone-marrow had shifted from its usual position into my lungs resulting in the collapse of my left lung. At that time I found it really difficult to breathe and it seemed as if I was drowning deep inside the pool. That experience was really very traumatic and full of pain. I still fear the moment when I was in I.C.U for nine days and nine nights. They called me often and visited me frequently when I was undergoing the traumatic phase of my life. They would make the atmosphere so lively that the entire hospital would brighten up with their presence. They showed a very genuine concern for me with the result that I saw our bond going stronger with each passing day. The discovery of this relationship is very special to me and shall always remain very special.
Mani Ratnam is said to be a tough nut to crack. Was it really very difficult working with him?
In physical sense it is difficult working with Maniji but at the same time you get immense satisfaction when you successfully accomplish the challenge he poses to you. At the same time working with Maniji provides an opportunity to an aspiring actor like me to prove myself. His inspiration provides you the thrill to enjoy thoroughly what you are doing. It provides you the high that is often required. As an actor, I feel there are two ways to perform. One is the common way of performing that we are all comfortable with and the other one is the Mani Ratnam style. He has always taught us that no amount of planning or practice shall suffice if the character you play has nothing unusual to attract the audience. He strongly believes in performing the same character in a new style that shall at the same time look natural and different from the usual stuff. We have even worked for 22 hours at a stretch. I remember the first schedule in Madras when we all were supposed to be on the sets by six. We got up at four and the shoot started exactly at six and continued till three at night. When I reached home, I was thrilled to receive Maniji's call apologizing for the last day's hectic schedule. I was dancing with joy when he told me that we would start the next day's shoot a little later than usual. But I received a strong blow when he further informed me that the shoot should start at 9 a.m sharp in the morning. It was also a challenge for us to work non-stop and maintain the standards of Mani-Ratnam style of working.
The markets nowadays demand multi-starrer film. What are the pros and cons of working in a multi starrer movie?
I do not believe that multi-starrer films are to be made just to fulfill the demands of the market. The screenplay and the style of this movie attempt to represent the different facets of the youths that form the masses. All the three different actors and actresses are a strong requirement of this film. Even a solo starrer film like Munnabhai M.B.B.S turned out to be super hit while many other multi-starrer films proved to be disasters at the box-office. As far as the pros and cons are concerned, working in a multi-starrer film is an experience that is really enjoyable be it while working with Ajay and Abhishek in Yuva or while working with Aftab, Ritesh and Ajay in Masti. On a personal level I feel, working with your friends is real fun that only multi-starrer movie makes it possible for you. Otherwise on business front, multi-starrer films do not gain much.
Do you find any difference between a star and an actor? Which one excites you more?
I have always believed that there is a demarcation between a star and an actor. From the very beginning with the choice of debut that I picked, I made it clear that I always wanted to be an actor. The stars belong to the skies whereas an actor feels better on earth. I enjoy the fact that each film provides me an opportunity to do something different without myself being trapped in any sort of image. I don't have to live up to certain expectations. In fact that provides me the liberty to break any mould and keep performing in different film and in different style. People were very skeptical for Saathiya after they saw my work in Company but Saathiya was a success. Next, they were not ready to accept my work in Masti and then all of a sudden even Masti picked up. So as an actor, my repute keeps growing exposing me to different challenges, different genre and different filmmakers.
Tell us something about the music of the film.
The music of Yuva is really wonderful and that's really obvious with the superb combination of A.R.Rahman' s music and Mani Ratnam' s excellent picturisation. My favorite song in the film is Anjaana Anjaani .The other songs of the movie mainly Fannah and the title track are equally superb. We enjoyed thoroughly while shooting for these songs, which were beautifully picturised by Mani Ratnam in his new, fresh and unique style.
How will you define the film?
Yuva is the story of a young boy who has always been indifferent to the existing scenarios and least bothered about others. The story of this boy takes an interesting turn when life offers him two influences to choose from - positive and negative. The story is about how he decides to opt for the path that is really difficult to undertake and how he completes his journey in search of himself and successfully accomplishes his inner self.
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