Omi Vaidya aka Chatur from 3 idiots in an interview

Chatur Chat !

When we SMSed Omi Vaidya aka Chatur requesting him for an interview, he promptly replied, "Sure. But, please pick me up from Shivaji Park at 6pm." True to his word, Omi is there on time. Funny and bright, Omi is full of whacky suggestions. "Why don't you dress me like a rickshaw driver? I won't look into the camera and people will think that Chatur's become jobless. On second thoughts, the tonga seems more attractive. But we can't fool the public of course:

Mr Perfectionist

As we walk, a couple of kids as well as elderly people stop Chatur for a chat. He readily obliges. So, how's life changed after his first film? "It's definitely very exciting. I love the kind of attention I am getting. But I have lost my privacy." So how difficult will it be breaking out of the Chatur mould? "It's definitely going to be tough. But I am looking forward to something different. I want to do roles that people can relate to. I don't want to play the perfect man or hero." We stop at a bhuttawala, and Omi requests the vendor if he can roast his bhutta himself. "I love bhuttas, and perfectly roasted ones with the right dash of salt and lime. If I am eating it, it better be good," says Omi licking his lips. A crowd gathers around him murmuring 'That's Chatur, Chatur,' and he just smiles back.

No kidding

After a couple of pictures, we sit down for a chat. A mother comes with her toddler for a picture. He plops the infant on his lap. After five attempts, the mom manages the perfect snap. Omi seems to absolutely adore children. "I am quite naughty and like to get under people's skin. Like kids, I enjoy masti but none of the mean stuff. What I like about kids is that when they make a friend, they shower that person with unconditional love. All that we adults do is worry. But, though I should be worrying about career, money, retirement, etc I'm cool. The kid in me wants to live for the moment."

Mumbai meri jaan

"As a kid, I came to Mumbai every year in the summers. And I absolutely hated the heat and the sweat. But once I came in December and absolutely fell in love with the city. I loved the paani puri at the Elco market, enjoyed the local trains and the devoured the road trip to Goa. I liked the 'chik chik' noise the bus conductor made. In fact, once the conductor asked me for aadhai rupaiya, and I heard kadhai. My mom burst out laughing. It's much easier to accept Mumbai if you have been here as a child. You know that here's where your roots lie. I enjoyed the Loncha (pickle), papad, the old ice creams and lot of other stuff. The non-branded zamana in Mumbai was something else altogether," signs off Omi.