# Omi Vaidya

Omi Vaidya (born January 10, 1982) is an American actor of Indian descent who works in Bollywood films. He is best known for his performance as Chatur Ramalingam or "Silencer" in the 2009 buddy-drama film, 3 Idiots. In addition, Vaidya has played roles on The Office and Arrested Development. Omi has directed many short films and worked as a feature film editor. He has also appeared in a number of commercials and works as a producer.

## Background

Vaidya was raised in Joshua Tree in Yucca Valley, California. He graduated from the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and later attended the University of California, Santa Cruz for two years. He then transferred to the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and graduated with honors.
Vaidya commented on his background in an interview:
   I live in Los Angeles, USA. That's where I grew up, but every year we used to come to India. My native place in India is Goa and I also did visit Mumbai quite often during my growing up days. I started acting when I was about six in Marathi mandal nataks and some English plays in the US. I learned more about acting in high school and that's when I became really serious about films as a career. I went to NYU film school and learned the ropes of filmmaking, editing, acting, etc. I learned the technical language used on the sets. After graduating in honors from NYU, I went back to Los Angeles and began auditioning for roles in T.V. serials and films.

## Personal life

Vaidya married Minal Patel on August 22, 2009. In 2015, Minal gave birth to their first child. Their second child was born in 2018.

## Career

After college, Vaidya began to work as an editor for horror and South Asian feature films. He continued to act as well and received small roles in television programs and commercials. After receiving a small role in Arrested Development, he was asked to audition for the role of Sadiq for The Office by the same casting director. He portrayed Sadiq in two episodes: "E-mail Surveillance" and "Fun Run." He was also seen in Bones.

### 3 Idiots

Vaidya's most notable performance is in a supporting role in the 2009 Bollywood film, 3 Idiots as Chatur Ramalingam (or "The Silencer"). He received strong reviews for his performance. Vaidya auditioned for the role of Chatur while on a trip to Mumbai. After passing the first audition, he was asked during the second to read dialogue from Lage Raho Munna Bhai. Vaidya states that he "just rattled it off without exactly understanding the words, almost like the speech scene in 3 Idiots." After being signed for the part of Chatur, he was told not to study Hindi, not to watch Hindi films, and to gain weight.
Of his success in the film, Vaidya credits the atmosphere of the cast and crew stating that in Mumbai there is "a personal touch, unlike Hollywood. Even if they don't pay you by the hour and there is no extra time, there is warmth and care. I basically saw my Bollywood innings as a challenge. A lot of credit also goes to Raju and Abhijat Joshi for the way the character came across on screen." He was also discouraged from providing interviews before the release. Vaidya states: "Before the film released, I asked director Rajkumar Hirani if I could give a couple of interviews. He stopped me saying nobody knew me and I should wait till the film is released. My role was a surprise they had planned for the audience." Vaidya later recalled that, "When I was at the premiere of 3 Idiots, no one recognized me. I was a bit depressed but when it got over, it was difficult for me to even get out of the theater. I have been enamored by the love and appreciation I have received from the audience. Today, when I go out on streets, people come and shake hands with me. It feels nice."

### Big in Bollywood

Big in Bollywood (2011) is a documentary film about American actor Omi Vaidya's journey from a struggling Hollywood actor to a successful Bollywood breakthrough with 3 Idiots. It was sold to Netflix and is now available on YouTube.

## Awards

2010 Screen Awards
* Won: Best Comedian – 3 Idiots
* Won: Most Promising Newcomer – Male – 3 Idiots
2010 IIFA Awards
* Nominated: Best Performance in a Comic Role – 3 Idiots
* Won: Star Debut of the Year – Male – 3 Idiots
2008 The Valley Film Festival
* Won: Best Short Film – The Desert Rose
2008 Port Townsend Film Festival
* Won: Best Film with Diversity Theme – The Desert Rose
2008 The Valley Film Festival
* Won: Best Student Film – Out of Time

## Selected filmography
### Films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 2007 | Rolling | Assar | |
| 2009 | 3 Idiots | Chatur Ramalingam a.k.a. "The Silencer" | |
| 2011 | Big in Bollywood | Himself | Documentary |
| 2011 | Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Ji | Milind Kelkar | |
| 2011 | Desi Boyz | Ajay | |
| 2012 | Players | Sunny Mehra | |
| 2012 | Jodi Breakers | Nano | |
| 2017 | Mirror Game | Vikram | |
| 2018 | Blackmail | Boss DK | |
| 2018 | Astro | Dr. Ramesh | |
| 2023 | MR-9 : Do or Die | Faisal | American-Bangaldeshi film |
| 2024 | Aaichya Gavat Marathi Bol | | Also director; Marathi film |

### Television series

| Year | TV Show | Role | Notes |
| 2005–2007 | The Office | Sadiq | Episodes: "E-mail Surveillance" "Fun Run" |
| 2008 | Life | Vairam | |
| 2008 | Bones | Hamid Hirani | Episode: The Crank in the Shaft |
| 2009 | Kath & Kim | Prakash | |
| 2009 | Kamen Rider: Dragon Knight | Fish | |
| 2014 | Growing Up Fisher | Elliot | |
| 2015 | For Here or to Go | Lakshmi | |
| 2016 | Brown Nation | Balan Sree Ramakrishnan | |
| 2019 —present | Metro Park (web series) | Kannan | |

### As director

| Year | Film | Notes |
| 2007 | Out of Time | Short Film |
| 2007 | The Desert Rose | Short Film |

### As editor

| Year | Film | Notes |
| 2003 | Out of Time | Short Film |
| 2004 | Delusion | Short Film |
| 2005 | Bloodshed | Short Film |
| 2006 | The Gold Bracelet | Short Film |
| 2007 | Remember the Days | Short Film |
| 2008 | Blind Ambition | Short Film |