12th January 2024, Mumbai: As the much-anticipated Indian Police Force series, part of Rohit Shetty’s cop universe, gears up for its premiere this month, the cast, including Sidharth Malhotra and Vivek Oberoi, shared their experiences in an exclusive conversation with Pinkvilla. Amidst the discussions, Vivek Oberoi delved into memories associated with the iconic Salman Khan starrer Dabangg and shed light on his excitement about joining Shetty’s cop universe.
Vivek’s Walk Down Memory Lane
During a fun cop quiz, the Indian Police Force team engaged in guessing popular cop movies. Vivek Oberoi successfully identified Dabangg and couldn’t resist sharing his fond memories of the film. As Sidharth Malhotra initiated singing the iconic song “Hud Hud Dabangg,” Vivek reminisced, “The song, man, that song was epic. Even that dialogue of Sonakshi’s, thappad…”
Thrilled to be Part of Rohit Shetty’s Vision
Having previously portrayed the role of a cop, Vivek expressed his excitement about joining Rohit Shetty’s cop universe. He shared, “To be a part of Rohit bhai’s cop-verse, I think the most exciting thing that I looked forward to right as soon as I knew I was doing the show, I started imagining myself walking in slow motion” – a nod to the quintessential cop walk with dramatic background music.
Balancing Realism and Larger-Than-Life
Reflecting on the experience, Vivek emphasized the unique combination of realism and larger-than-life elements in Shetty’s cop universe. He stated, “The whole world of Indian police force is real. It’s well-researched, it’s very very detailed, the protocols are structured, the way things happen, the way events unfold, everything is so detailed and well-researched.” Despite the meticulous research, there remains an undeniable feeling of something larger than life, which, according to Vivek, makes the project super exciting.
Admiration for Rohit Shetty
Expressing his admiration for Rohit Shetty, Vivek highlighted their shared values and principles. He commended Shetty not just as a filmmaker but as a person who actively contributes to society. Vivek stated, “I’ve always loved him as a person, I’ve always seen him be the first person to put his hand up when there’s something good for society, something positive.” This admiration extends to the principles that Shetty incorporates into his characters.
A Part Written for Vivek
Vivek concluded by sharing a profound moment when Rohit Shetty approached him for the role. He recalled, “When he called me and said, ‘Listen, when I wrote this part you were the first person that came to my mind. I wrote this part for you.’ It was the biggest compliment I could ever get.”
Release and Star-Studded Cast
With an ensemble cast featuring Sidharth Malhotra, Shilpa Shetty Kundra, Vivek Oberoi, and more, the Indian Police Force is set to release on Amazon Prime Video on January 19. As fans eagerly await the series, Vivek’s insights into his journey and the nostalgia surrounding Dabangg add an extra layer of anticipation.