I was a mischievous kid but am a hands-on father now! – Vivek Oberoi

With his television debut on Zee TV’s India’s Best Dramebaaz receiving a fantastic review from all over the country and the show premiering with a TVR of 3.5 & 4.7, dashing actor Vivek Oberoi is riding a wave of success!

The cuteness of the kids on the show and the camaraderie of the judges has got viewers hooked to their TV screens on the weekend and Vivek Oberoi is ecstatic about it…

Congratulations! With India’s Best Dramebaaz having launched with a TVR of 3.5, the audience is clearly loving the show. What has been the response that you have received so far?
It has been a truly amazing experience! I was ecstatic when I saw the rating especially since I think that the team who works behind the scenes on the show is a fabulous one and they really deserve it more for all the hard work and sweat they have put into the show. Personally too the good wishes have been flowing in. On the day that the show launched, many of my friends made it a point to tell me how much they loved the show. In fact, Hrithik even tweeted about it and called me up the next day. He really loved the kids on the show & predicted that one of them will be India’s next shining star. Given the fantastic talent on the show, I will have to agree with him!

How did your wife Priyanka react when you broke the news that you are judging a children’s show?
Priyanka was more excited than I am! She said that she wanted me to understand kids as she was of the opinion that doing this would help me become a good father as I would be able to connect with today’s kids in a better manner. In fact, even on the show I keep chatting with the kids and spending some time with these tiny tots.

Do you follow any particular parameter while judging the contestants on the show?
Look, our process of judging is different from that of other talent shows. For example, we judge a 5 year old kid differently from a 10 year old as we do not expect him/her to act like a ten year old. But, there are no parameters written in stone; we just follow our hearts as every kid is unique in their own way.

How were you as a kid?
I was good at studies but was also very mischievous. In fact one day my parents sat down to narrate my childhood stories to my wife. After hearing them, Priyanka said that if our kids turn out to be like their father, we’d be dead! (laughs).

How was the feeling of becoming a father?
When I became a dad, the first thing I did was I called my dad and asked him to give me his blessings so, that I manage to do at least fifty per cent of what he has done for me. As a matter of fact, he has been a pillar for me in my life thanks to his constant guidance and support. Till now, I have done just 30 films, but he has done 350 films. When we were kids, though my dad used to be busy with work, he would always make time to take us on a family vacation every second weekend. We would go to places like Goa, Khandala, Lonavla and even distant destination like Spain. To me they were the best weekends. I think I have a lot to learn from my father as he gave true meaning to the popular phrase ‘my daddy strongest!’

Are you a hands-on father?
Yes, very much so. I was there with my wife when my baby was born and I had the good fortune of cutting the umbilical cord. I have also changed his diaper and fed him milk from a bottle.
In fact, I did not sleep for three nights as my wife, who had a long labor was resting. Though the nurses were there to look after the baby, I just couldn’t sleep. I was on full alert even when he (baby) had hiccups.

How has 2013 been for you?
It’s been amazing so far. I have had two films release recently with another one coming up later this year. This year has also given me the opportunity to make my television debut with India’s Best Dramebaaz which has opened really well from what I have heard. So the year can only get better from here!