Omi Vaidya | |
|---|---|
 Vaidya in 2011 | |
| Born | (1982-01-10)January 10, 1982 (age 44) Yucca Valley, California, United States |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupations | |
| Years active | 2003–present |
| Known for | 3 Idiots (2009) |
| Spouse | [1] |
| Children | 2 |
Omi Vaidya (born January 10, 1982) is an American actor inHindi cinema. He is best known for his performance as Chatur Ramalingam or "Silencer" in the 2009 comedy-drama film,3 Idiots.[2] In addition, Vaidya has played roles onThe Office andArrested 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.[3]
Vaidya was raised in Joshua Tree inYucca Valley, California.[4] He graduated from theLos Angeles County High School for the Arts and later attended theUniversity of California, Santa Cruz for two years. He then transferred to theTisch School of the Arts atNew York University and graduated with honors.[2]
Vaidya commented on his background in an 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.[5]
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 inArrested Development, he was asked to audition for the role ofSadiq forThe Office by the same casting director. He portrayed Sadiq in two episodes: "E-mail Surveillance" and "Fun Run." He was also seen inBones.
Vaidya's most notable performance is in a supporting role in the 2009Bollywood film,3 Idiots as Chatur Ramalingam (or "The Silencer"). He received strong reviews for his performance.[6][7] Vaidya auditioned for the role of Chatur while on a trip toMumbai. After passing the first audition, he was asked during the second to read dialogue fromLage Raho Munna Bhai. Vaidya states that he "just rattled it off without exactly understanding the words, almost like the speech scene in3 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."[2] 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."[8] Vaidya later recalled that, "When I was at the premiere of3 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."[9]
Big in Bollywood (2011) is adocumentary film about American actor Omi Vaidya's journey from a strugglingHollywood actor to a successful Bollywood breakthrough with3 Idiots. It was sold to Netflix and is now available on YouTube.[10]
2010Screen Awards
2010IIFA Awards
2008Port Townsend Film Festival
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Rolling | Assar | ||
| 2009 | 3 Idiots | Chatur Ramalingam a.k.a. "The Silencer" | [13] | |
| 2011 | Big in Bollywood | Himself | Documentary | |
| Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji | Milind Kelkar | |||
| Desi Boyz | Ajay | |||
| 2012 | Players | Sunny Mehra | ||
| Jodi Breakers | Nano | |||
| 2015 | For Here or to Go | Lakshmi | Indian-American film | |
| 2017 | Mirror Game | Vikram | ||
| 2018 | Blackmail | Boss DK | ||
| Astro | Dr. Ramesh | |||
| 2023 | MR-9 : Do or Die | Faisal | American-Bangladeshi film | |
| 2024 | Aaichya Gavat Marathi Bol | Also director;Marathi film | [14] |
| Year | TV Show | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005–2007 | The Office | Sadiq | Episodes: "E-mail Surveillance" "Fun Run" |
| 2008 | Life | Vairam | |
| Bones | Hamid Hirani | Episode:The Crank in the Shaft | |
| 2009 | Kath & Kim | Prakash | |
| Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight | Fish | ||
| 2014 | Growing Up Fisher | Elliot | |
| 2016 | Brown Nation | Balan Sree Ramakrishnan | |
| 2019 —present | Metro Park (web series) | Kannan |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Out of Time | Short Film |
| The Desert Rose |
| Year | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Out of Time | Short Film |
| 2004 | Delusion | |
| 2005 | Bloodshed | |
| 2006 | The Gold Bracelet | |
| 2007 | Remember the Days | |
| 2008 | Blind Ambition |
Vaidya married Minal Patel on August 22, 2009. In 2015, Minal gave birth to their first child. Their second child was born in 2018.[15] He is ofMarathi descent.[14]
