“I have been touring cities, talking non-stop about Rakta Charitra that I haven't found time to oversee my wedding preparations. The feeling that I am getting married (on October 29 to Priyanka Alva) hasn't sunk in,” Vivek Oberoi confesses. At a relaxed post-lunch tête-à-tête with Metro Plus , the actor whom the industry thought would be an eternally bachelor boy, says, “My mom too thought I'd never settle down. She's glad I'm finally getting married. It will be a private affair in Bangalore with family members. The reception that will follow a week later will have the presence of the film fraternity.”
Before he can become Karnataka's damaad, Vivek has to promote Rakta CharitraI and II . “The two parts will release within a span of a month. Both the parts have a beginning, middle and an end and move at a cracking pace. So even if one misses the first one and watches the second, it will be a wholesome film,” he explains. Talking about preparing for the role inspired by slain political leader Paritala Ravi, he says with a glint in his eye, “I don't know about politics. Growing and maintaining this handlebar moustache was the toughest part.” He is careful not to take the name of Paritala Ravi and Suri and sticks to using the screen names.
The film marks his return to mentor Ram Gopal Varma's group. “It's poetic to think that the man who gave me first break is now introducing me to the Tamil and Telugu audience as well. Varma's passion for cinema hasn't diminished. Seeing him sustain that passion for 140 to 150 days of shooting was amazing and infectious,” says Vivek who has signed another project with Varma.
On speaking his lines in the regional versions, he says, “Once I agreed to act in Telugu and Tamil, I learnt the dialogues and dubbed my lines too. Varma told me that I got it right 90 percent.”
The actor who hit rock bottom with Kisna feels he is at a better position today, with intermittent hits in the form of Shootout at Lokhandwala , followed by Prince . “ Prince turned out to be the biggest hit of my career. We are working on the sequel; we are discussing the script, the gadgets that can be used in the film etc. The success of Prince helped me sign six new movies where I get to be the solo hero,” he shares. One of them will be with Mani Ratnam.
The actor, who once spoke his mind at will, has mellowed down. He still watches movies by the dozen, reads up on cinema but doesn't articulate his thoughts on international movies to his directors as much as he used to before. And lying low has helped remove the ‘arrogant' tag associated with him. “I was barely 24 when I entered the industry, so eager to learn and voice my opinion. That passion was misunderstood to be something else. I've learnt with experience and becomes wiser,” he smiles.
