Vivek Mushran on playing Kareena’s gay uncle in Veere Di Wedding: It wasn’t tough but a challenge

As box office figures continue to rise for Veere Di Wedding since it released last week, the audience can’t stop gushing about the lead cast of the film — Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Swara Bhasker and Shikha Talsania. However, supporting characters in the film created an equal buzz and garnered a lot of adulation. Among them, actor Vivek Mushran, who played the role of Kareena’s maternal uncle stood out for his portrayal of a gay man’s character. In a candid chat, the actor talks about what appealed him about the film, Kareena as a co-star and playing Cookie chacha onscreen.

The film is already a hit and besides the lead cast, supporting characters are also being liked by the audience. How’s the feeling?

Well, that’s what a good film is all about. I am happy that despite four girls in the lead roles, other characters also got noticed. It’s so encouraging.

When you heard the narration, what got you interested?

I liked the whole concept of the film and the role I was offered was something that I haven’t done before and the director’s [Shashanka Ghosh] vision for it appealed to me, so it was a no brainer. Also, being associated with a good production house, a great director and producer [Rhea Kapoor] was an add-on. It’s nice to be working with young people, as you get to learn something new.

Was it tough to portray a gay character onscreen?

Not really. As an actor, it’s a challenge to play such a role and the manner that your director wants you to. He didn’t want the character to be in your face. It’s like my character happens to be gay. And that’s what we wanted to show. The difficult part for me was to do less and I had to always keep that in mind and that’s how we got out the beauty of the character.

Were you at all apprehensive when you heard the part?

No. Times have changed. The viewers have started seeing people as human beings rather than give them any tags. They no longer stamp a person.

If not this role, which other character you think you could have portrayed with equal interest?

I would love to be Sumeet’s character [[Sumeet Vyas played Kareena’s love interest in the film]. That would be the most ideal one.

A still from Veere Di Wedding.

Besides your role, what did you find the most special about VDW?

The biggest aspect of the film is the connection between these four girls and that has come out so beautifully. Even while I was dubbing, I couldn’t understand that connection so well, but now when I see it, it stands out the best. The thing about friendship worked and cameras belong to these girls.

How was it working with Kareena and what’s the most endearing thing about her?

As an actor, she is so dedicated, so nice and perfect on the set. Despite having a child, who’d be in the hotel, she would come on set. It’s not easy to be a new mother and working on a film. She was so cooperative. Depending upon the scene, we would often rehearse and if it’s my close up, she used to be behind the camera giving me my cues, so that really helps as an actor when you co-star is like that. She has no starry tantrums… very down to earth.

Interact with Monika Rawal Kukreja at Twitter/@monikarawal