From S'porean soldier to Bollywood villain: Vivek Gomber's wild ride

In late October 2024, Bollywood's big-budget film Jigra bombed at the box office and soon landed on Netflix.

The film, which depicted the rescue of a falsely accused Indian man on death row in Han Shidao (a fictionalised version of a country like Singapore), failed to impress audiences. Even Alia Bhatt's attempt at an action-heroine role fell flat.

Yet, amid the film's shortcomings, one actor's performance stood out - Vivek Gomber as Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Hansraj Landa, a ruthless prison officer.

His portrayal, reminiscent of iconic antagonists like Heath Ledger's Joker, captivated audiences. His mastery of the Singlish-inflected Singaporean accent left viewers wondering - how did an Indian actor from Rajasthan pull it off so convincingly?

I got through to Vivek, 46, via filmmaker Rahul DaCunha. His answer came as a surprise: "I'm a Singapore citizen."

Born in Jaipur, Vivek's path to acting was shaped by his family's move to Singapore in 1989. His father, a banker, sought better educational opportunities for him, while his mother, a high court judge in Rajasthan, remained in India.

Vivek completed his education at United World College and then served National Service (NS) in 2000. Initially struggling with his European-Indian accent, he quickly adapted, picking up local lingo and forging friendships.

During NS, Vivek excelled as an instructor at the School of Infantry Specialists (SISPEC), earning praise from his superiors.

His commanding officer, Senior Warrant Officer Lim Eng Teong, told The New Paper in July 1999 that Vivek was outstanding and was selected to undergo a further 11-week advanced section leader's course.

"He has been with me for about a year. He has no problem mixing with the local guys, and we have gone on overseas training. He is more than ready to serve and really puts in effort," said SWO Lim.

Vivek told The New Paper the same year: "Singapore was just a place where I got my education. Now, after NS, it's more than that. If I had to fight a war to defend Singapore, I would."

His love for cinema grew through Bollywood films he watched with his father, a passion further nurtured by his parents' support.

He later studied acting at Emerson College in Boston, graduating in 2004.

After a brief stint teaching toddlers in Singapore, he moved to Mumbai, honing his craft at Prithvi Theatre.

He moved on to television soaps and minor roles in Bollywood films.

Vivek's breakthrough came as both actor and producer in Court (2014), a multilingual legal drama. His portrayal of a Gujarati defence lawyer won him Best Actor at the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema, while Court itself secured Best Feature Film at India's 62nd National Film Awards.

He continued to gain recognition through films like Sir, Netflix's Bombay Begums, Mira Nair's A Suitable Boy and Hansal Mehta's Lootere.

Despite his growing success, Vivek faced sacrifices, juggling his career between Singapore and India while caring for his father, who died in 2010.

Vivek's Singaporean background proved invaluable in shaping his portrayal of OIC Hansraj in Jigra, earning him a nomination for Best Performance in a Negative Role at the 25th International Indian Film Academy Awards.

His ability to fully inhabit the character - mastering the accent, mannerisms, and speech patterns - came naturally.

He credits this skill to his exposure to diverse cultures in Singapore and later in Boston. "At UWC, I was surrounded by different accents. Mimicking them became second nature," he explained.

For Court, he perfected his Gujarati accent by spending time with Gujarati communities. Similarly, his inspiration for OIC Hansraj came from a Singaporean Tamil officer he encountered during NS. "The accent and dialogue delivery just came naturally when I thought of him," he said.

Vivek believes second- and third-generation immigrants often feel the need to prove their loyalty by working harder than locals. He aimed to capture this complex dynamic in his performance.

While Vivek is celebrated for his nuanced roles, he admits that balancing artistic integrity with commercial success is challenging. "I've always been drawn to meaningful, progressive cinema. But I also understand the need for films to reach a broader audience," he said.

His acting idols - Gary Oldman, Alan Rickman, Philip Seymour Hoffman, and Robin Williams - have shaped his approach to choosing roles. "I admire actors who can completely disappear into their characters. That's what I strive for," he shared.

Beyond acting, Vivek has made his mark as a producer. He co-produced Sir, a film about class divides in India, which won acclaim at Cannes. "Producing is a different beast. It's about finding stories that need to be told and making sure they reach the right audience," he explained.

His production company, Zoo Entertainment, focuses on films that challenge societal norms. "We want to tell stories that resonate, that make people think," he added.

Despite his global career, Vivek returns to Singapore yearly to visit friends and his goddaughter. "Of course I miss Singapore! I might be there in May this year," he said.

While he now stays with friends, his childhood home was in Meyer Road, Katong. "That makes me an East Coaster for sure!" he said with a laugh, recalling fond memories of waterfront walks at East Coast Park.

His favourite local foods? "Everything, dude!" he exclaimed, listing bee hoon, black pepper crab, wanton mee and chicken rice. His go-to spots include Five Star Chicken Rice and Sin Ho Sai on East Coast Road.

Singapore remains deeply ingrained in him. "It gave me so much - discipline through NS, cultural exposure, and a global perspective," he said. "At the end of the day, Singapore is home, and I am Singaporean."

With Jigra reaffirming his acting prowess, what's next for Vivek? "I want to explore roles that challenge me. Maybe an international project, maybe something completely unexpected," he said.

His dream is to work with directors like Christopher Nolan and Denis Villeneuve. "I love how they create immersive, thought-provoking cinema. Being part of that would be incredible," he shared.

Despite his achievements, Vivek remains humble. "It's been a long journey, but I feel like I'm just getting started."