Omi Vaidya

Omi Vaidya

Vaidya while promoting Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
Born Omi Vaidya
January 10, 1982 (age 34)
Yucca Valley, California, US
Occupation Actor, director, editor, writer, Television presenter
Years active 2003–present
Spouse(s) Minal Patel[1]

Omi Vaidya (Marathi: ओमी वैद्य) is an Indian American actor who is best known for his performance as Chatur Ramalingam or "The Silencer" in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots.[2] In addition, Vaidya has directed two short films and worked as an editor on others. He has also appeared in a number of television programs and commercials.[3]

Background

Vaidya was raised in Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, California.[4] He graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and later attended the University of California, Santa Cruz for two years. He next transferred to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and graduated with honors.[2]

Vaidya commented on his background in a recent interview:

I live in Los Angeles, USA.That's where I grew up, but every year we used to come to India. My native place in India is Goa and I also did visit Mumbai quite often during my growing up days. I started acting when I was about six in Marathi mandal nataks and some English plays in the US. I learned more about acting in high school and that's when I became really serious about films as a career. I went to NYU film school and learned the ropes of filmmaking, editing, acting, etc. I learned the technical language used on the sets. After graduating in honors from NYU, I went back to Los Angeles and began auditioning for roles in T.V. serials and films.[5]

Personal life

Vaidya married Minal Patel on August 22, 2009. He is father of a baby boy (24 June 2015).

Career

After college, Vaidya began to work with an agent and received small roles in television programs and commercials. After receiving a small role in Arrested Development, he was asked to audition for the role of Sadiq for The Office by the same casting director. He portrayed Sadiq in two episodes: "E-mail Surveillance" and "Fun Run." But he came into the limelight after featuring in the music video of the superhit Punjabi song "Kurti" sung by Bohemia.

3 Idiots

Vaidya's most notable performance is in a supporting role in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots as Chatur Ramalingam (or "The Silencer"). He received strong reviews for his performance.[6][7] Vaidya auditioned for the role of Chatur while on a trip to Mumbai. After passing the first audition, he was asked during the second to read dialogue from Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Vaidya states that he "just rattled it off without exactly understanding the words ... almost like the speech scene in [3 Idiots]." After being hired for the part of Chatur, he was told not to study Hindi, not to watch Hindi films, and to gain weight.

Of his success in the film, Vaidya credits the atmosphere of the cast and crew stating that in Mumbai there is "a personal touch, unlike Hollywood. Even if they don't pay you by the hour and there is no extra time, there is warmth and care. I basically saw my Bollywood innings as a challenge. A lot of credit also goes to Raju and Abhijat Joshi for the way the character came across on screen."[2] He was also discouraged from providing interviews before the release. Vaidya states: "Before the film released, I asked director Rajkumar Hirani if I could give a couple of interviews. He stopped me saying nobody knew me and I should wait till the film is released. My role was a surprise they had planned for the audience."[8] Vaidya later recalled that, "When I was at the premiere of 3 Idiots, no one recognized me. I was a bit depressed but when it got over, it was difficult for me to even get out of the theater. I have been enamored by the love and appreciation I have received from the audience [...] Today, when I go out on streets, people come and shake hands with me… It feels nice."[9]

Awards

2010 Screen Awards

2010 IIFA Awards

2010 Lions Gold Awards

Filmography

Actor

Film/TV Show Role Year Notes
Arrested Development Rav Nadir 2005 The Immaculate Election
TV Series
The Office Sadiq 2005–2007 E-mail Surveillance
Fun Run
TV Series
Rolling Assar 2007
Bones Hamid Hirani 2008
TV Series
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Unnamed Inmate 2008 Season 8 episode "Drops Out" (uncredited)
TV Series
Life Vairam 2008 TV Series
Kath & Kim Prakash 2009
Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight Fish 2009
3 Idiots Chatur Ramalingam a.k.a. "The Silencer" 2009
Better Off Ted Sales Man 2010 Episode: The Long and Winding High Road
Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji Milind Kelkar 2011
Desi Boyz Ajay 2011
Players Sunny Mehra 2012
Jodi Breakers Nano 2012
Rules of Engagement Waiter 2013 Episode: Catering
Puncture Wounds Sirish 2014

Director

Film Year
Out of Time 2007
The Desert Rose 2007

Editor

Film Year
Out of Time 2003
Delusion 2004
Bloodshed 2005
The Gold Bracelet 2006
Remember the Days 2007
Blind Ambition 2008

References

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