Filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots not only became a runaway blockbuster when it released on Christmas 2009 but also got the tag of an all-time classic. The film was a story of friendship between the characters played by Aamir Khan, R Madhavan and Sharman Joshi spanning a decade. But the funny antagonist Chatur Ramalingam aka Silencer played by Omi Vaidya received as much praise and fame as the main trio.
As 3 Idiots, which also starred Kareena Kapoor Khan and Boman Irani, completed 14 years recently on December 25, Bollywood Hungama exclusively went down memory lane with Omi Vaidya himself. Firstly, he told us that it really doesn’t feel that 14 years have passed since 3 Idiots released because he continues to receive the same love he did during the release of the film.
Omi said, “When I meet people, I feel they have moved on; they have seen other movies, and they are not going to remember me anymore. But when I go out on the street, I can’t go 10 feet without somebody getting super excited. An excitement that other well-known actors do not get that they deserve.”
He added, “They have lived with me for those 14 years. They have continued to live with my character and acting. And they are just so connected. Even now there is a new generation of people, younger people that are connecting with it. That film persists in people’s minds through television.”
The release of 3 Idiots also ensured that Omi could no longer travel in public transport. “It was absolutely life-changing because before that film came out, I could walk on the street in India, take trains, BEST buses and just be a normal citizen. And one week after that film, I could not walk through the street without getting a bunch of preys getting a lot excited. They just love it.”
Not many people would know that Omi already had a career in the US television before he was signed for 3 Idiots. “They found me in 3 Idiots because I was a very well successful actor in television in America,” said Omi. “I had been on the shows like The Office, acting with Steve Carrell. And I had done multiple other television shows. I actually changed and made a movie in Bollywood (3 Idiots) and I halted my career, which was going well in that time just so I could make this film. Because I knew there was value in it, and I will not get that chance to make any other Bollywood film. At least that’s what I thought.”
Soon after the release of 3 Idiots, one news article said that before the start of the premiere of the film, nobody knew Omi Vaidya. But after the film ended, everyone wanted to meet him. To this, Omi corrected this writer and said, “Not only after the film, at the intermission (itself). From the bathroom, I could not get to my seat. People were so interested in taking photos from that moment on.”
Right now, Omi is starting a new chapter in his career by turning director with the Marathi movie Aaichya Gavat Marathit Bol, where he is also playing the main lead. He had this conversation with us during the music and trailer launch of the film. “It’s so wonderful that I have that goodwill and I am hoping to make use of that goodwill and make something valuable. I want to make a film that people can watch many times and enjoy because our lives are very difficult. We have a lot of pressure on our mind. So, we should have something that we can just watch and enjoy,” he said.
Aaichya Gavat Marathit Bol is all set to release in theatres on January 19, 2024.
More Pages: 3 Idiots Box Office Collection , 3 Idiots Movie Review
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