Subhash K Jha

The release of Ram Gopal Varma's Company is three days away. But Vivek Oberoi, whose debut film hits theatres on April 12, isn't in Mumbai to catch the pre-release fever.

Vivek, with ladylove Gurpreet, has been travelling all over South India shooting for the songs of Saathiya. Shaad, son of filmmaker Muzaffar Ali, makes his debut with Saathiya --- a remake of Mani Ratnam's Alai Payuthey (Madhavan, Shalini).

Vivek is tired but satisfied with the shot. "Rani Mukherji (heroine of Saathiya), and I have been shooting the songs of Saathiya in Rameshwaram, Karuikudi, Hampi and Goa. My director Shaad Ali is very talented. He conceptualises his scenes spontaneously. There isn't much planning beforehand."

As an afterthought he adds, "People like Ramuji (Ram Gopal Varma) who are both talented and tightly organised are very rare in showbiz."

A trained dancer and bathroom singer, Vivek bursts into a tune from Saathiya. "A R Rahman's music in this is the same as in the original Alai Payuthey, Shaad has turned the flavour of the music. We play North Indian characters in Saathiya. The songs don't sound South Indian. In fact the title song from Alai Payuthey has been dropped in the Hindi version because it didn't fit in the remake. Gulzarsaab has penned the lyrics. Shaad has been exposed to all kinds of music from his childhood, thanks to Muzaffar Ali."

Adds Vivek, "I have known Shaad since I was five years old. We were in the same school. We drifted apart but met after ten years. Would you believe it, we remembered everything from our childhood. We used to stay over at each others' house. I have very fond memories of Muzaffar Uncle, [his former wife] Subhasini Aunty and the whole family."

When hinted that Vivek's rapport with Shaad Ali is reminiscent of Abhishek Bachchan and Goldie Behl, who made Bas Itna Sa Khwaab Hai, he agrees wholeheartedly.

"During working hours we are professionals. After pack up, we are back to being buddies. When you work with a director who is a friend you have to make sure you never let friendship come in the way. As a first-time director I am sure Shaad has his share of doubts and insecurities. I am very careful about making suggestions."

"I never want him to feel that I am taking undue advantage because we are friends. So even if I have something to say I make sure I talk to him in private."

It's been a gruelling Southern sojourn for Vivek. "I have been working for as many as 20 hours at a stretch. Now all I need is a long lay off."

Vivek is not bothered about Vipul Shah's Aankhen (released last week) spoiling the prospects of Company at the BO.

He laughs it off saying, "There is no similarity between the two films [Aankhen and Company]. But I can understand the distributors' point of view. A guy sitting in some remote corner of India has no clue what Company is all about. Since he isn't acquainted with anyone involved with the project, he depends purely on hearsay to pre-judge the film.

"To a distributor who is in no way involved with the creation of Company it is so much easier to bracket it with any other film which outwardly looks similar. I have even heard exhibitors calculating the percentage of business in favour or against Aankhen and Company. How do they come up with these figures?" Born within the industry, Vivek can talk nonstop about the business aspect of filmmaking.

"Someone came to interview me the other day said the problem with intelligent actors is they turn out to be boring. If that's the price of being intelligent, I can live with being boring," chortles Vivek.

"I am not purposely proper all the time. It's the way I am. Even with my director Ram Gopal Varma whom I trust implicitly, I don't make judgemental statements. Usually I don't have a negative opinion about anyone. If I don't like something I keep quiet. If I have a positive opinion about someone I would be the first one to express it."

"I genuinely think Ajay Devgan is mindblowing in Company. If people say I am the next Ajay Devgan, I am flattered. In fact everyone from Antara Mali to Manisha Koirala to Rajpal Yadav is fabulous in Company.

"Even Rajesh Tandon (from Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai), is superb in one scene. My God, he's a fabulous actor. I have recommended him to some filmmakers."

The schedule for Saathiya has been a back-breaker. "I flew to Mumbai for a few hours for re-dubbing in Company then flew back for Saathiya."