This story is from October 23, 2007

I’m not a mouse:Vinay Pathak

PALLAVI KHARADE / TNN / Oct 23, 2007, 00:00 IST

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Funny man Vinay Pathak is wowing the audiences with his ribtickling one-liners. He tells PT that he has finally found his feet in Bollywood

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TONGUE FIRMLY IN CHEEK: Vinay Pathak is on a roll and there is no stopping him. (TOI Photo)Funny man Vinay Pathak is wowing the audiences with his ribtickling one-liners. He tells PT that he has finally found his feet in Bollywood
Life’s been no smooth ride for VJ-turned-actor Vinay Pathak. After a 12-year-long struggle, Vinay’s moment in the sun finally arrived with a well-crafted role as the mumbling wannabe singer Bharat Bhushan in Bheja Fry.“
Bheja Fry turned out to be the turning point in my life. I feel very privileged that I got the role and am very happy about the outcome. Thanks to Bheja Fry, I am now being offered a variety of roles. I am playing different and very strong characters. Earlier, I didn’t have that choice,” says the actor gratefully. Currently basking in the success of his recent films, Vinay is thankful that most of his performances have been well-received in films like Khosla ka Ghosla and Mixed Doubles.
During his days as a video jockey, Vinay had enjoyed a fair amount of popularity. Commenting on his earlier profession, the versatile actor says, “Initially, I was an actor and then became a VJ since being a VJ was much more fashionable. Though I was happy to be a VJ, I consider it as pop success,” he says in his characteristic tongue-in-cheek tone.

After playing a plethora of characters, which one does Vinay consider closest to his heart? “My character of Bharat Bhushan is very close to my heart. The whole gang of Bheja Fry — Sagar Ballery, Rajat Kapoor, Ranvir Shorey and Sarikaji — all formed a very intimate and a close-knit gathering.
We all used to hang out together, playing pranks on each other. It was like one big picnic. And with Ranvir Shorey, his co-star in most films, the comfort level is of course, immense, “Ranvir is a dear friend and we are both very comfortable working with each other. We are both laid-back who love life and have lots of similar likes. There is never any pressure when we are performing together,” says Vinay, who performed in the play C for Clown, in the city recently.

After doing a number of comic roles, isn’t he afraid of getting stereotyped? “Getting the tag of a comedian is not justified. I am an actor and I like to portray different shades in a character and would like to do roles in different genres. All elements in a character appeal to me and its strengths excite the actor in me,” explains Vinay. Do people expect him to be funny all the time? “Since I am mostly with my select group of friends, neither is there any pressure to perform, nor am I expected to be funny,” says he.
Despite success having kissed his feet, Vinay doesn't believe in any form of rat race. “It took me 12 years to reach this position. I accept a role because I want to portray that particular character and I am not bothered about how much money I’m making. I still do theatre because that’s where I come from and that’s where I learnt the craft of acting. I enjoy versatility to lace my body of work. As far as participating in the rat race is concerned, it is for mice and I am no mouse. I would rather be part of the audience and watch the race, whether it’s a rat or a bull race. I am not equipped for such races,” he quips.
Recently, Vinay worked with Madhuri Dixit in Aaja Nachle. So, how was the experience of working with Madhuri? Says Vinay, “There is only one word to describe it-fantastic! I am looking forward to the release of Aaja Nachle as well as Mithya and Khoya Khoya Chand.”
Vinay’s tryst with success has just begun. Here’s looking forward to some brilliant performances from him in the future.

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