Feet on the ground

But with his down-to-earth demeanour, his suave attitude, and the razor sharp confidence in which he carries himself, he can surely erase the many mistakes he has made in the past. No wonder he was introduced as the Bollywood Charmer at the music launch of Sudeep’s Just Maat Maatalli.

With his aunt, niece and nephew living here, the City, he says is not alien to him. But off late, he has also found a dear friend in Sudeep, “making it reason enough for me to come here more often,” he smiles.

There was also talks of Vivek making a guest appearance for a Kannada film, “It seems rumours follow me here as well. I have not been approached by anyone and I will not act in Kannada movies unless its a bi-lingual or tri-lingual,” he clarifies.

On the career front, Vivek has been flooded with compliments and award nominations for his role as a journalist in Rensil D’ Silva’s Kurbaan.

“The film has gone beyond my expectations. I have received a lot of appreciation for the role and I have even got many nominations for supporting actor. So I guess things are looking up,” he says.

For someone who has succeeded as a leading man, Vivek finds no qualms in playing a smaller or a supporting role. “It’s really not the size of the role that matters to me. It’s the size of the movie and the belief in the director,” he says while adding, “Even in Omkara I had a very small role but people still remember me in it and the Beedi Jalaile song.”

While in Kurbaan, one saw him working with Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor after a long time, in Rakta Charitra, one will see him working with Ram Gopal Varma again after seven years.

A reunion with the man, who first launched him in Company, is something he is “more than glad” about he says.

“Rakta Charitra has an amazing script, an awe-inspiring character and a brilliant director at the helm…What more could an actor want? I will say that I did miss working with the Ram Gopal Varma. But now I am really having a great time on the sets,” he explains.

Another movie that is all set to hit the screens soon is Prince It’s Showtime. A through action movie, Prince It’s Showtime, is said to have Vivek as a thief who carries on the biggest robbery of his life only to wake up next day and remember nothing.

“It’s one of those edge of your seat thrillers and will see me in a whole new look,” he says.

 “Here I will be the leading man,” he beams.