Vivek Gomber

{{Infobox person

| name = Vivek Gomber

| image =

| image_upright = 0.9

| caption = Gomber in 2014

| birth_date = 1979

| birth_place = Jaipur, Rajasthan, India

| occupation = {{hlist|Actor|producer}}

| nationality = Indian

| works =

| spouse =

| awards =

| yearsactive = 2002–present

}}

Vivek Gomber is an Indian actor and producer who has made significant contributions to Indian, British, and American cinema. He is a recipient of a National Film Award along with multiple international awards.

He started with minor role in Hindi television daily soap Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani in 2002, Gomber steadily carved his path, making notable appearances in projects such as the acclaimed legal drama Court (2014) and the romantic drama Sir (2018), where he demonstrated his ability to portray complex characters with depth and nuance.

Not limited to acting, Gomber ventured into production and founded his production company, Zoo Entertainment Pvt Ltd, in 2014. He brought compelling narratives to life through films like Balekempa (2018) and The Disciple (2020) which garnered recognition and accolades on the global stage.

Career

Gomber began his acting journey with a minor role in Zee TV's Hindi soap opera Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani (2002).{{Cite web |title=Astitva Ek Prem Kahani TV Serial - Watch Astitva Ek Prem Kahani Online All Episodes (1-668) on ZEE5 |url=https://www.zee5.com/tv-shows/details/astitva-ek-prem-kahani/0-6-105 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=ZEE5 |language=en-IN}} He continued to make appearances in various projects, including the bilingual short film The Morning Fog in 2006, where he portrayed a weather guide, and the international film Exitz in the following year, albeit receiving negative reviews from both audiences and critics.

In 2008, he joined the cast of the British-Indian comedy series Mumbai Calling, helmed by Sanjeev Bhaskar, which was set in the fictional Teknobable call center located in Mumbai. Following this, Gomber played the role of a call center accent trainer in Kunaal Roy Kapur's English language satirical mockumentary film The President Is Coming in 2009.{{Cite web |title=Konkona calls the President - News - Bollywood - Hindi - Entertainment - The Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Entertainment/Konkona_calls_the_President/rssarticleshow/2868665.cms |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=timesofindia.indiatimes.com}} This film delved into the behind-the-scenes chaos surrounding President Bush's visit to India, receiving acclaim from critics.{{Cite news |title=The President Is Coming Movie Review |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/movie-reviews/the-president-is-coming/movie-review/3953342.cms |access-date=2024-04-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}{{Cite web |date=2009-01-16 |title=Masand's Verdict: The President Is Coming |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-the-president-is-coming/82374-8.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090116192401/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/masands-verdict-the-president-is-coming/82374-8.html |archive-date=16 January 2009 }} During this period, he also contributed to Vinod Mitra's drama film Meridian Lines, although the film is yet to be released.

His breakthrough came in 2014 with his portrayal of a Gujarati defense lawyer in Chaitanya Tamhane multi-lingual legal drama film, Court, alongside Vira Sathidar and Geetanjali Kulkarni.{{Cite web |last=Bhatia |first=Uday |date=2015-04-10 |title=Made in India, courted abroad |url=https://www.livemint.com/Leisure/zUCenOjbkfkdDvWurhrfLJ/Made-in-India-courted-abroad.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=mint |language=en}} The film, which explores the intricacies of the Indian legal system through the trial of an aging protest singer accused of encouraging a manhole worker to commit suicide, earned him widespread recognition. Gomber also served as a producer for the film, a role offered to him by Tamhane.{{Cite web |date=2015-04-09 |title=This Man Is India's Bravest Producer And The Reason The Film 'Court' Exists |url=https://www.huffpost.com/archive/in/entry/vivek-gomber-court-interview_n_7031202 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=HuffPost |language=en}} Court had its premier at the 71st Venice International Film Festival and was screened at numerous other prestigious international film festivals,{{Cite web |date=2016-08-01 |title=India's Chaitanya Tamhane on Venice film fest jury |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-cinema/india-s-chaitanya-tamhane-on-venice-film-fest-jury/story-Lnr6DpEFpvjOVQnV34OxFM.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} including Auteur Film Festival Serbia, the Washington DC South Asian Film Festival, Minsk International Film Festival, Singapore International Film Festival, International Antalya Film Festival, BFI London Film Festival, Vienna International Film Festival and Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema.{{Cite web |date=2014-10-06 |title=Courting magic on screen |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/mumbai/courting-magic-on-screen/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} It was India's official submission for the 88th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category, although it did not receive a nomination.{{Cite web |date=2016-01-14 |title=India out of Oscars race: 'Court', 'Jalam', 'RangiTaranga', 'Nachom-ia Kumpasar' fail to make it to nominations' list |url=https://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/india-out-of-oscars-race-court-jalam-rangitaranga-nachom-ia-kumpasar-fail-to-make-it-to-nominations-list-2584448.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}} Gomber's performance as Vinay was lauded, Suhani Singh of India Today noted, "Gomber demonstrates the frustrations and challenges of a helpless lawyer struggling to help his client and let truth win. His Vinay comes closest to voicing the audience's viewpoint of the case."{{Cite web |title=Court review: The compelling drama is the finest film of 2015 so far |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/reviews/story/court-film-review-vivek-gomber-chaitanya-tamhane-geetanjali-kulkarni-vira-sathidar-pradeep-joshi-248962-2015-04-17 |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=India Today |language=en}} The film received several awards, including Best Feature Film at the 62nd National Film Awards. In the same year, Gomber appeared in the American biographical drama The Letters, based on the life of Albanian-Indian Catholic nun Mother Teresa.{{Cite web |last=Goldstein |first=Gary |date=2015-12-04 |title=Review: 'The Letters' delivers a warm, inspiring portrait of Mother Teresa |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-the-letters-movie-review-20151204-story.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}

File:Vivek Gomber, Chaitanya Tamhane, and Geetanjali Kulkarni at the trailer launch of Court.jpg (center) and Chaitanya Tamhane (right) at the trailer launch of their film Court in 2014.]]

In 2018, Gomber took on a leading role opposite Tillotama Shome in romantic drama film, Sir.{{Cite news |last=Bradshaw |first=Peter |date=2018-05-14 |title=Sir review – sexual tension brews in Mumbai |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/may/14/sir-review-sexual-tension-brews-in-mumbai |access-date=2024-04-03 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} He portrayed Ashwin, an architect who returns from the U.S. and finds himself disillusioned with his fiancée, gradually developing feelings for his maid.{{Cite news |title=Sir Movie Review : A soul-stirring tale of emotional intimacy, dreams and belonging |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/sir/movie-review/79208307.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-04-03 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}} Premiering at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival, the movie later had theatrical releases across European countries. However, it wasn't until November 2020 that it hit screens in India.{{Cite web |date=2020-11-04 |title=Sir, Rohena Gera's Cannes award-winning romantic drama, to release in Indian cinemas on 13 November |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/sir-rohena-geras-cannes-award-winning-romantic-drama-to-release-in-indian-cinemas-on-13-november-8981781.html |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=Firstpost |language=en-us}} Alongside his acting endeavors, Gomber produced the Kannada drama film Balekempa, a poignant tale exploring the intricacies of a bangle seller's relationship with his wife. Garnering numerous nominations worldwide, the film earned the FIPRESCI Prize at the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Next in 2020, he appeared in Mira Nair's British television drama A Suitable Boy, set against the backdrop of independent India. Critic Saibal Chatterjee of NDTV praised his portrayal, noting, "Gomber is delightfully on the ball as Arun Mehra"{{Cite web |title=A Suitable Boy Review: Mira Nair's Adaptation Is Replete With Riches |url=https://www.ndtv.com/entertainment/a-suitable-boy-review-mira-nairs-adaptation-is-replete-with-riches-4-stars-out-of-5-2314505 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=NDTV.com}} Also in 2020, he teamed up with Tamhane once again, this time as a producer for the Marathi drama film The Disciple.{{Cite web |last=Rangan |first=Baradwaj |date=2020-09-05 |title=Chaitanya Tamhane, After The Premiere Of The Disciple At The Venice Film Festival: "Every Film Is A New Battle" |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/features/film-festivals/interviews/chaitanya-tamhane-the-disciple-venice-film-festival-premiere-every-film-is-a-new-battle-marathi-movies-baradwaj-rangan |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |language=en}} This film made history by entering the main competition section at the 77th Venice International Film Festival, marking the first Indian film since Monsoon Wedding (2001) to compete at the prestigious event. It went on to win the FIPRESCI International Critics Prize{{Cite web |title=Venice Film Festival 2020: Chaitanya Tamhan's The Disciple wins FIPRESCI award |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/hollywood/story/venice-film-festival-2020-chaitanya-tamhan-s-the-disciple-wins-fipresci-award-1721365-2020-09-13 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=India Today |language=en}} and received accolades at the Toronto International Film Festival, Independent Spirit Awards and Asian Film Awards.{{Cite web |date=2020-09-20 |title=Tamhane's 'The Disciple' Wins Again, This Time At TIFF |url=https://www.news18.com/news/movies/tamhanes-the-disciple-wins-again-this-time-at-tiff-2893839.html |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=News18 |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2021-09-09 |title=第十五屆亞洲電影大獎入圍名單及評審主席公布 |url=http://www.afa-academy.com/page?mid=23&cat=144&post_id=1304 |access-date=2024-04-04 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210909100749/http://www.afa-academy.com/page?mid=23&cat=144&post_id=1304 |archive-date=9 September 2021 }}{{Cite web |last1=Galuppo |first1=Hilary Lewis,Mia |last2=Lewis |first2=Hilary |last3=Galuppo |first3=Mia |date=2021-01-26 |title=Film Independent Spirit Awards: 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always,' 'Minari,' 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom,' 'Nomadland' Top Nominations |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/independent-spirit-awards-nominations-list-2021-4121856/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}} In 2021, Gomber reunited with Shahana Goswami in the Netflix series Bombay Begums.{{Cite web |date=2021-03-08 |title=Bombay Begums review: Pooja Bhatt is brilliant in Alankrita Shrivastava's inelegant but empowering Netflix show |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/web-series/bombay-begums-review-pooja-bhatt-is-brilliant-in-alankrita-shrivastava-s-inelegant-but-empowering-netflix-show-101615102113207.html |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}

In 2024, Gomber stepped into the main lead in Hansal Mehta's action crime drama series Lootere. The series revolves around the gripping narrative of a Ukrainian trading vessel under attack by Somali pirates on international waters. Gomber portrayed an illicit businessman of Indian origin, stationed at the Mogadishu port.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-24 |title=Leading actor in Jai Mehta's Lootere, Vivek Gomber discusses show's larger than life setting |url=https://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/web-series/article/leading-actor-in-jai-mehta-lootere-vivek-gomber-discusses-show-larger-than-life-setting-23341288 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Mid-day |language=en}} Selected after six months of rigorous auditioning and look tests, Gomber's performance was highly acclaimed.{{Cite web |date=2024-03-24 |title=Did You Know? Vivek Gomber's Audition For Jai And Hansal Mehta's 'Lootere' Lasted For 5 Hours |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/did-you-know-vivek-gombers-audition-for-jai-and-hansal-mehtas-lootere-lasted-for-5-hours |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Outlook India |language=en}} Shubhra Gupta of The Indian Express praised his portrayal as entertaining, stating, "Gomber goes full-tilt camp at his Gandhi, yelling-shouting-chain-smoking,"{{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Lootere review: A tense, high-wire hostage drama |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/web-series/lootere-review-a-tense-high-wire-hostage-drama-9228689/ |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}} Ronak Kotecha of The Times of India hailed his character as the undisputed don of Somalia, adding, "Gomber stands out as Vikrant Gandhi - a recklessly confident character that is created with finesse and indulgence. This bad boy demands your attention and whether you like him or hate him, you cannot ignore him. That’s mainly because Gomber makes it his own."{{Cite news |title=Lootere Season 1 Review : This bloodsoaked Somali hijack drama is not for the faint-hearted |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/web-series/reviews/hindi/lootere/season-1/seasonreview/108595054.cms |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}

Filmography

= Films =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Role

!Language

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}

rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" | 2006

| rowspan="2" | The Morning Fog

| rowspan="2" | Raja

| style="text-align: center;"|English

| rowspan="2" | Short film

| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |{{Cite web |title=The Morning Fog Videos and Trailers {{!}} The Morning Fog Cast and Crews {{!}} The Morning Fog |url=https://www.indianfilmhistory.com/short-film/the-morning-fog |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=www.indianfilmhistory.com |language=en}}

style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

style="text-align: center;" |2007

|Exitz

|Indian Barman

| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|English

style="text-align: center;" |2009

|The President Is Coming

|Rohit Seth

rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;" |2013

|Meridian Lines

|Fredrico Dumukh

|style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

|Unreleased film

|{{Cite web |last=Hungama |first=Bollywood |date=2010-12-01 |title=Meridian Lines Movie: Review {{!}} Release Date (2010) {{!}} Songs {{!}} Music {{!}} Images {{!}} Official Trailers {{!}} Videos {{!}} Photos {{!}} News - Bollywood Hungama |website=Bollywood Hungama |url=https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/meridian/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |language=en}}

Glass Bottom Boat

| rowspan="2" style="text-align: center;"|English

|Short film

rowspan="6" style="text-align: center;" |2014

|The Letters

|Ashwani Sharma

|{{Cite web |author=T. H. R. Staff |date=2015-11-24 |title='The Letters': Film Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/letters-film-review-843164/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}

rowspan="4" |Court

| rowspan="4" |Vinay Vora

|style="text-align: center;"|Marathi

| rowspan="4" |Also producer

| rowspan="4" |{{Cite web |last=Guidry |first=Ken |date=2015-07-15 |title=Review: Legal Drama 'Court' Borders On Brilliance |url=https://www.indiewire.com/criticism/culture/review-legal-drama-court-borders-on-brilliance-261988/ |access-date=2024-04-03 |website=IndieWire |language=en-US}}

style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

style="text-align: center;"|English

style="text-align: center;"|Gujarati

Leap of Faith

|Sam

|style="text-align: center;"|English

|Short film

style="text-align: center;" |2018

|Sir

|Ashvin

|style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

|Feature

style="text-align: center;" |2024

|Jigra

|Hansraj Landa

|style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

|Feature

= Television =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Role

!Language

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}

style="text-align: center;"|2002

|Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani

|Harsh

|style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

= Web series =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"

scope="col" | Year

! scope="col" | Title

! scope="col" | Role

!Language

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes

! scope="col" class="unsortable" | {{Tooltip|Ref.|Reference}}

style="text-align: center;"|2008

|Mumbai Calling

|Lovely Singh

|style="text-align: center;"|English

rowspan="4" style="text-align: center;"|2020

| rowspan="4" |A Suitable Boy

| rowspan="4" |Arun Mehra

|style="text-align: center;"|Bengali

| rowspan="4" |{{Cite news |date=2020-10-10 |title=Series adaptation of 'A Suitable Boy' to premiere on Netflix on October 23 |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/series-adaptation-of-a-suitable-boy-to-premiere-on-netflix-on-october-23/articleshow/78590154.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-04-04 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}

style="text-align: center;"|English

style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

style="text-align: center;"|Urdu

style="text-align: center;"|2021

|Bombay Begums

|Arijay Sinha

|style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

|{{Cite web |date=2021-03-03 |title=Netflix India 2021 slate announced: From Fabulous Lives season 2 and Kapil Sharma to Abbas-Mustan's next, see full list |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/netflix-india-2021-slate-announced-from-fabulous-lives-season-2-and-kapil-sharma-to-abbas-mustan-s-next-see-full-list-101614760233353.html |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}

style="text-align: center;"|2024

|Lootere

|Vikrant Gandhi

|style="text-align: center;"|Hindi

|{{Cite web |title=Lootere review - Rajat Kapoor-Vivek Gomber's series sails through choppy waters |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/lootere-review-rajat-kapoor-and-vivek-gomber-led-series-sails-through-choppy-waters-and-it-gets-tough-to-escape/15b2fa9b93836 |access-date=2024-04-04 |website=OTTPlay |language=en}}

= Producer =

scope="col" \| Year ! scope="col" \| Title !Language ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| Notes ! scope="col" class="unsortable" \| {{Tooltip\|Ref.\|Reference}}
class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" style="margin-right: 0;"
style="text-align: center;" rowspan="4"\|2014 \| rowspan="4" \|Court \|style="text-align: center;"\|Marathi \| rowspan="4" \| \| rowspan="4" \|{{Cite web \|last=N \|first=Patcy \|title='I won't make a typical Bollywood film' \|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/i-wont-make-a-typical-bollywood-film/20150326.htm \|access-date=2024-04-03 \|website=Rediff \|language=en}}
style="text-align: center;"\|Hindi
style="text-align: center;"\|English
style="text-align: center;"\|Gujarati
style="text-align: center;"\|2018 \|Balekempa (The Bangle Seller) \|style="text-align: center;"\|Kannada \| \|
style="text-align: center;"\|2020 \|The Disciple \|style="text-align: center;"\|Marathi \| \|