ON THE SETS OF DUM

By Fuad Omar.

Sunday 8th September 2002

NESCO Grounds, 
Jogeshwari (E).

As I ride the highway that leads me to the empty plot that is transformed into a vicious and menacing den many thoughts travel through my mind. I'm on my way to meet a friend, someone who is only one film old and exudes confidence, speaks in a commanding voice and stands tall like an unshakeable tree. One look alone has managed to evoke fear into many and he knows just what pitch to use to relax you too. The man will always be a gangster personified to me, because whenever he points at me I imagine I'm staring down the barrel of a gun, because what my next move will be is completely in his control. The man is a chameleon of sorts and has in no time established his credentials. His name is Vivek Oberoi.

As I gain the clearance with the guard at the gates, who now recognises me and approves a simple nod, the driver of my three wheeled vehicle seems confused at where he's taking me. Assuming a Chandu style stance, I sniff and tell him in an attempted authoritative voice "Le jaa aagey aur side mein laga do". The poor guy mutters a yes and quivers awaiting his payment. As I walk into the huge vacant chamber that could well be an empty parking lot I see chains, I see puddles of water and images conjure to my mind of if someone wanted me bumped off, this is an ideal setting. It's eerie, it resonates fear and it's straight out of a Scorcese picture.

"Fuad!" booms the familiar voice as I receive an acknowledging nod and sit myself down. Vivek is dressed in a plastic see-through jacket and whatever clothes he's wearing underneath I can't see because of a bright red light beaming down from above. The rest of the space is dark, dirty and foreboding. A man in a yellow T-shirt grabs me and hugs me: it's the film's director E Niwas, a young filmmaker whose National Award winning work has already gained him credibility and a lifelong pass to Ram Gopal Verma's World of Adventures. "When did you arrive?" he says with a smile and before I know it Vivek has also sneaked up on me. 

A bear hug later, he explains how they are shooting a song sequence and unless I sit well away from an imaginary line I'll be drenched soon as water will be sprayed onto the dancers from every angle possible. Ever since I met Vivek Oberoi I've liked the man. He's straight forward, knows how to handle himself in the company of the right people and can discuss film intelligently. He also has a warm rugged way about him that either you like or hate. Fortunately we clicked instantly and I've come not to interview him, not to even do this write up, but just to check up on a friend. As the shot is set up, there's Ganesh Hedge, expert choreographer and someone who has an enviable stock of talented dancers behind him going through routine with his boys. These are the chosen ones who grace the stage abroad whenever there are live shows and are used to the screams of the many, but today they're here to be soaked. All clad in black vests and track pants, they assume a regimental position, and Vivek joins them at centre spot up front. Donning dark glasses and a rigid care-a-damn look, he stares into the space in front of him with a momentary 'bring it on' attitude, until Ganesh says 'Now!' and the water begins to spray. From every angle a jet of hard pressure water is being hurled at these people with such force it would probably move an elephant, but these guys stand rooted to the ground. The shot is a crane shot from above and so all we'll see is the streams of water in unison, merging above Vivek and then disappearing over a sea of heads and feet from a top angle view. The shot is taken around five times before Vivek is guided to a seat beside me, dripping wet, a towel over his head and wearing a very tired look.

"We started shooting at 7 this morning and I'm starting to feel unwell," he tells me looking very weary. I tell him how I sympathise given the amount of water he's being sprayed with and how it can't be good for his health. He begins to shiver slightly and a boy dashes forward with a drink and begins removing his shrunken shoes and soaked socks. Vivek puts his head back and ruffles the towel slightly to dry his hair, then looks at me with a sorry look that makes me request director E Niwas to give my friend a break. A smile later, we're all joking around and are pleased to get a few moments in between shots. 

"Dum should release around December 6th, that's what we're aiming for," E Niwas tells me. "The music is by Sandeep Chowtha, I know you'll like it." He whistles to someone to start the music and plays me a fast beat funky track from the forthcoming film and tells me I can get my own copy in October when they release the music of the film. Vivek has been messing around with me for the past few weeks since I told him I saw a teaser poster of Dum that shows a blood soaked face of his looking up menacingly with the caption "Can you face him?". I told him the size of the poster and look reminded me of Chandu and sent shivers down my spine. He sent me an sms back saying 'Good, now I can't wait to face you.' Vivek is a young actor who has it in him to make it big. The media will do all they can to satisfy their own intentions and cravings a la recent comparisons with Hrithik, but Vivek has his own game plan and it only involves hard work and concentrating on being a good actor, rather than the media's favourite flavour of the month.

We talk about a few of our favourite films and what we've been up to, recent releases and plan trips to London, and before I know it it's time for the next shot. I've chilled long enough suffering a few mosquito bites (mercifully a small price to pay when compared to what Vivek is enduring) and feel I should make my exit now before I end up missing my next appointment which I cannot be late for. Having moved our chairs from one end of the lot to the other repeatedly to get out of the water's way, we get up for one last time and say our goodbyes as he always does: with a smile, a hug and a genuinely warm adieu. Every time I go to meet Vivek Oberoi I'm reminded of the hard hitting gangster he played and every time I leave I'm left with the memory of the man behind the characters he so easily assays. He gets into the skin of each role be it by spending times in the slums or sitting in or training at a police academy.  No one quite brings to a role what Vivek does. But then why am I telling you all this? I just dropped in to see a friend. Give him time and you too will see if you can face him. Dum is scheduled for release in December.