Omi Vaidya
{{Short description|American actor (b. 1982)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Omi Vaidya
| image = Omi Vaidya 1.jpg
| image_size =
| caption = Vaidya in 2011
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|01|10|mf=yes}}
| birth_place = Yucca Valley, California, United States
| alma_mater = {{flatlist|
}}
| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|film director|film editor|writer|television presenter}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Minal Patel|2009}}{{Cite web |last = Parkar |first = Shaheen |title = Wife's Chatur, too! |work = MiD-DAY.com |publisher = MiD DAY |date = January 11, 2010 |url = http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/jan/110110-3-Idiots-Omi-Vaidya-Chatur-Ramalingam.htm |access-date = January 18, 2010 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130514133520/http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/jan/110110-3-Idiots-Omi-Vaidya-Chatur-Ramalingam.htm |archive-date = May 14, 2013 |url-status = live }}
| yearsactive = 2003–present
| nationality = American
| children = 2
| known_for = 3 Idiots (2009)
| website =
| signature =
}}
Omi Vaidya (born January 10, 1982) is an American actor of Indian descent who works in Bollywood films. He is best known for his performance as Chatur Ramalingam or "Silencer" in the 2009 buddy-drama film, 3 Idiots. In addition, Vaidya has played roles on The Office and Arrested Development. Omi has directed many short films and worked as a feature film editor. He has also appeared in a number of commercials and works as a producer.{{cite web |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/features/2009/omi-vaidya-idiot-281209.html |title=Omi Vaidya: The 4th Idiot |date=December 28, 2009 |publisher=oneindia.in |access-date=December 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140407081650/http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/features/2009/omi-vaidya-idiot-281209.html |archive-date=April 7, 2014 |url-status=live }}
Background
Vaidya was raised in Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, California.{{cite web |url=http://www.criticalmassfilmhouse.com/interviews/omivaidya.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081015203101/http://www.criticalmassfilmhouse.com/interviews/omivaidya.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 15, 2008 |title=CMFH Interviews – Omi Vaidya |publisher=criticalmassfilmhouse.com }} 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 then transferred to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and graduated with honors.{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Dont-typecast-me-Omi/articleshow/5394164.cms |title=Don't typecast me: Omi |access-date=July 3, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102024859/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2009-12-31/news-interviews/28092252_1_omi-chatur-ramalingam-hindi-classes |archive-date=November 2, 2012 |work=The Times of India |url-status=live }}
Vaidya commented on his background in an interview:
{{quote|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.[http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/01/16/5851/ "I don't want to play another Chatur" – Omi Vaidya] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100202030549/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/01/16/5851/ |date=February 2, 2010 }}}}
Career
After college, Vaidya began to work as an editor for horror and South Asian feature films. He continued to act as well 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." He was also seen in Bones.
=''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.{{cite web |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/printpage.php?id=107739§ion_id=8 |title=Masand's Movie Review: 3 Idiots, satisfying not best |publisher=IBM Live |access-date=December 28, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231173950/http://ibnlive.in.com/printpage.php?id=107739§ion_id=8 |archive-date=December 31, 2009 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.kolkatamirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=10&contentid=20091225200912251642507296efb952§xslt=&pageno=1 |title=Review: 4 Idiots |publisher=Kolkata Mirror |access-date=December 27, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100206002233/http://kolkatamirror.com/index.aspx?page=article§id=10&contentid=20091225200912251642507296efb952§xslt=&pageno=1 |archive-date=February 6, 2010 |url-status=dead }} 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 signed 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." 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."[http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/idiot-on-the-roll/563346/ Idiot on the roll] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004221245/http://www.expressindia.com/latest-news/idiot-on-the-roll/563346/ |date=October 4, 2012 }} 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."{{cite web|url=http://movies.ndtv.com/|title=NDTVMovies.com : Bollywood News, Reviews, Celebrity News, Hollywood news, Entertainment News, Videos & Photos|website=movies.ndtv.com|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190310153815/http://movies.ndtv.com/|archive-date=March 10, 2019|url-status=live}}
=''Big in Bollywood''=
Big in Bollywood (2011) is a documentary film about American actor Omi Vaidya's journey from a struggling Hollywood actor to a successful Bollywood breakthrough with 3 Idiots. It was sold to Netflix and is now available on YouTube.{{cite news|last1=Heymont|first1=George|title=Big in Bollywood (That's What Friends Are For)|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-heymont/big-in-bollywood-movie_b_1122412.html|work=Huffington Post|date=December 1, 2011|access-date=December 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201084020/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/george-heymont/big-in-bollywood-movie_b_1122412.html|archive-date=December 1, 2014|url-status=live}}
Awards
2010 Screen Awards
- Won: Best Comedian – 3 Idiots
- Won: Most Promising Newcomer – Male – 3 Idiots[http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/01/09/5835/index.html Winners for Nokia 16th Annual Star Screen Awards 2010] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100507081338/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/01/09/5835/index.html |date=May 7, 2010 }}
2010 IIFA Awards
- Nominated: Best Performance in a Comic Role – 3 Idiots
- Won: Star Debut of the Year – Male – 3 Idiots{{cite web|url=https://www.oceanofweb.com/bollywood/iifa-awards-2010-winners.html|title=IIFA Awards 2010 Winners|date=June 8, 2010|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829124242/http://www.oceanofweb.com/bollywood/iifa-awards-2010-winners.html|archive-date=August 29, 2018|url-status=live}}
- Won: Best Short Film – The Desert Rose
2008 Port Townsend Film Festival
- Won: Best Film with Diversity Theme – The Desert Rose
- Won: Best Student Film – Out of Time
Selected filmography
= Films =
| class="wikitable sortable" | |
| Year
! Film | Role
!Notes !Ref. |
|---|---|
| 2007 | Assar
| | |
| 2009 | Chatur Ramalingam a.k.a. "The Silencer"
| |
| rowspan="3" | 2011
|Big in Bollywood | Himself
|Documentary | |
| Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji | Milind Kelkar
| | |
| Desi Boyz | Ajay
| | |
| rowspan="2" | 2012 | Sunny Mehra
| | |
| Jodi Breakers | Nano
| | |
| 2017 | Vikram
| | |
| rowspan="2" | 2018 | Boss DK
| | |
| Astro
|Dr. Ramesh | | | |
| 2023
|Faisal |American-Bangladeshi film | | |
| 2024
|Aaichya Gavat Marathi Bol | |Also director; Marathi film |{{Cite web |date=2023-12-03 |title=3 Idiots fame Omi Vaidya turns director and lead actor in Marathi movie Aaichya Gavat Marathit Bol |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/bollywood/3-idiots-fame-omi-vaidya-turns-director-lead-actor-marathi-movie-aaichya-gavat-marathit-bol/ |access-date=2023-12-20 |website=Bollywood Hungama |language=en}} |
= Television series =
| class="wikitable sortable" | ||
| Year
! TV Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2005–2007 | Sadiq | Episodes: "E-mail Surveillance" "Fun Run" |
| rowspan="2" | 2008
|Life | Vairam | |
| Bones | Hamid Hirani | Episode: The Crank in the Shaft |
| rowspan="2" | 2009 | Prakash | |
| Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight | Fish
| | |
| 2014 | Elliot | |
| | 2015 | Lakshmi | |
| 2016 | Balan Sree Ramakrishnan | |
| 2019 —present
| Metro Park (web series) | Kannan |
=As director=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Film !Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2" | 2007
| Out of Time | rowspan="2" |Short Film |
| The Desert Rose |
=As editor=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Film !Notes |
|---|
| 2003
| Out of Time | rowspan="6" |Short Film |
| 2004
| Delusion |
| 2005
| Bloodshed |
| 2006
| The Gold Bracelet |
| 2007
| Remember the Days |
| 2008
| Blind Ambition |
Personal life
Vaidya married Minal Patel on August 22, 2009. In 2015, Minal gave birth to their first child. Their second child was born in 2018.{{cite web|url=https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-BOW-omi-vaidya-becomes-father-of-babyboy-5031625-PHO.html|title=It's a boy! Omi Vaidya aka Silencer of 3 Idiots is a proud father|date=June 24, 2015|website=dailybhaskar|access-date=March 10, 2019|archive-date=October 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011180227/https://daily.bhaskar.com/news/ENT-BOW-omi-vaidya-becomes-father-of-babyboy-5031625-PHO.html|url-status=dead}} He is of Marathi descent.
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{IMDb name}}
- {{Bollywood Hungama person}}
{{IIFA Award for Star Debut of the Year – Male}}
{{ScreenAwardBestMaleDebut}}
{{Screen Award Best Comedian}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Vaidya, Omi}}
Category:21st-century American male actors
Category:Male actors from California
Category:American male actors of Indian descent
Category:American people of Marathi descent
Category:American male television actors
Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema
Category:People from Yucca Valley, California
Category:American expatriates in India
Category:American expatriate actors in India
Category:Expatriate male actors in India
Category:Tisch School of the Arts alumni
Category:University of California, Santa Cruz alumni
Category:Los Angeles County High School for the Arts alumni