Vishal Bharadwaj directed Omkara first released in 2006. Starring starring Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Bipasha Basu, Vivek Oberoi, Konkona Sen Sharma and Deepak Dobriyal, it is the second film in Bhardwaj’s trilogy of Shakespeare adaptations, other two being Maqbool (2003) and with Haider (2014).
As the Omkara re-opens in movie theatres, Vivek Oberoi relives the magic of the experience in an exclusive chat with Zoom.
Vivek, your performance in Omkara is remembered to this day?
Sometimes magic just happens on a film set and most creative people spend an eternity hoping to be a part of that magic. I was lucky that Vishal bhai roped me in to play Kesu Firangi in a stellar cast onscreen and we became good friends off screen.
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You shot the film in a village in Uttar Pradesh?
It was amazing to live in that entire village recreated by Kumar Mangatji who was so incredibly passionate about this film.
You had a ball shooting Beedi?
Even today when I hear Beedi play it brings back so many fond memories. The ability to adapt Shakespeare so natively that it feels like a story of India’s hinterland is an incredible accomplishment for the entire team. Vishal bhai’s melodies and Gulzar Saab’s lyrics are always magical.
What was it like shooting with Saif Ali Khan and Ajay Devgan?
Ajay and Saif were like big brothers on set and from pranks to poetry, we experienced it all in that tiny hamlet.
Your favourite Omkara memory?
One of my most favorite memories was learning to play the guitar in between shots, being helped with the chords by Saif, so I can, on screen, teach Bebo to serenade. They weren’t a couple then but destiny got them together later in life. So many wonderful memories.
Your performance was widely appreciated?
When I won best supporting actor for my performance, I truly felt it wasn’t possible without every single member of the team. I feel so much gratitude to be a part of such a classic.