Bolly Blog 28 - Vivek Mushran

Another fine actor from India who has a large role in "The Family Picture" is Vivek Mushran. He plays Ravi's father - and is quite funny in the film.

Vivek hails from Uttar Pardesh in North India. He got into acting when he went to college in Bombay. His big break came right out of college when he was cast in the film Saudagar

Vivek played the young teenage protagonist, in a classic Romeo and Juliet tale...

Vivek then went on to do "Fairy Tale Generation" a television show that he appeared on for 6 years. He played a widowed father whose daughter wants him to marry a fairy. Making a television show in India is very different - Vivek shot 52 episodes a year, shooting an episode in 2-3 days. He says the there is never anytime off but the steady paycheck is great!

Vivek works with Uma and Raj...

Vivek was recommended to Uma by a another film director in India. When I asked him about the differences in shooting our film from the typical Bollywood film, he said that he is pleased that he doesn't have to dance in our movie, that Indian audiences expect songs and dances and that is part of the job for a Bollywood actor...

Vivek also thinks that being an actor is the best job in the world. "People recognize you and they smile and you get a nice table at the restaurant. An "employed" actor's life is a very good life"...Sounds like actors in India go through the same struggles as actors in America, wondering when the next job will come...

Vivek tells me that comic acting and comedies are just taking off in India. Pure comedy movies without any songs would never do well, he says, but recently they are doing better, "There used to be 5-6 songs in an average Bollywood fim, now the average movie has as little 2-3 songs and story and characters are becoming more important.

Vivek goes on to say that the new Multi-plex theaters in India are aiming at slightly better off people and so the quality of films are getting better. "Indian movies will always have some songs as it's part of our culture." Vivek also says that he would love to come and "Kick Ass" in America..."

Take a look at a scene from Vivek's first film - This is a song sequence that Vivek was talking about...