Omi Vaidya

Omi Vaidya
Omi Vaidya while promoting Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji
Born	Omi Vaidya January 10, 1982 (age 33) Yucca Valley, California, US
Occupation	Actor, director, editor, writer, Television presenter
Years active	2003–present
Spouse(s)	Minal Patel

Omi Vaidya (Marathi: ओमी वैद्य) is an American actor who is best known for his performance as Chatur Ramalingam or "The Silencer" in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots. 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.

Background

Vaidya was raised in Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, California. 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.

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.

Personal life

Vaidya married Minal Patel on August 22, 2009. He is now a proud dad of a baby boy (24th 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 The Punjabi Rapper and leagend of Asia rap. Bohemia is well known as King Of Punjabi Rap.

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. 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." 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." 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."

Awards

2010 Screen Awards

• Won: Best Comedian – 3 Idiots
• Won: Most Promising Newcomer – Male – 3 Idiots

2010 IIFA Awards

• Nominated: Best Performance in a Comic Role – 3 Idiots
• Won: Star Debut of the Year – Male – 3 Idiots

2010 Lions Gold Awards

• Won: Best Supporting Actor – Male – 3 Idiots

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	Season 2 Episode 9
Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji	Milind Kelkar	2011
Desi Boyz	Ajay	2011
Players	Sunny Mehra	2012
Jodi Breakers	Nano	2012
Rules of Engagement (TV series)	Waiter	2013	Season 7 Episode 8
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

External links

• Omi Vaidya at the Internet Movie Database