Vicky Arora

QAMYAB – THE FORGOTTEN GEMS OF BOLLYWOOD

Qamyab is our humble tribute to all those lesser-known actors, one hit wonders and junior artists who we see umpteen times but don’t know about; beyond their faces. These actors have been an integral part of Bollywood but didn’t get their due. This series is our sincere attempt to put a name to these faces, familiarize them to our readers and celebrate their achievements in life – however big or small. We believe that every artist contributes in his/her own way to the cinema’s success. Qamyab will explore the unknown lives of such actors and artists as we believe even these forgotten gems of Bollywood deserve their due recognition today.

There are a few actors, who are lucky enough to get the big Bollywood break from top filmmakers but unfortunately, their own mentors bring about a downfall in their career later. It is well known that Kajal Kiran’s career got jacked up by veteran producer- director Nasir Hussain after introducing her in his superhit Hum Kisise Kum Naheen. Another instance of this is our forgotten gem for today- Vicky Arora – known for his only movie Yalgaar (1992).

Vicky Arora was born in Mumbai as Jaideep Arora in an affluent Punjabi family. He studied at Jamnabai Narsee School and was said to be an average student. Jaideep (Vicky) started modelling in his college days itself and was quite well known for his handsome looks.

It was around this time legendary actor- director Feroz Khan was looking for a youngster to play a pivotal role in his multistarrer titled Yalgaar. Feroz Khan Saahab approached all the three Khans – Aamir, Salman and Shahrukh – to play this part but they refused the role for various reasons. It was then that his daughter Laila Khan recommended Jaideep Arora for the role. He was Laila’s senior in college. Feroz liked Jaideep on first look and decided to cast him in that role. He changed Jaideep’s name to Vicky, which was also his character name in Yalgaar.

Yalgaar was a big budgeted multistarrer with the plot revolving around a family feud between a don and a cop. It had biggies like Sanjay Dutt, Kabir Bedi, Mukesh Khanna along with Feroz Khan himself in an action-packed role. Vicky was cast opposite Manisha Koirala as the film’s romantic lead. Most of Yalgaar’s songs (composed by the London based Channi Singh) were filmed on them.

On seeing the final cut, Feroz Khan wasn’t too pleased with Vicky Arora’s voice and at one point, contemplated getting it dubbed by a professional artist. However, he changed his decision at the last minute and Vicky’s voice was retained in the movie.

Yalgaar released on Diwali day of 1992 and was shockingly, panned by the critics particularly for Vicky Arora’s weak voice and ineffective performance. Though the film did moderate business at the box office, Feroz Khan wasn’t too happy with Vicky and lambasted him in print. He held Vicky responsible for Yalgaar’s lukewarm performance.

Nevertheless, Vicky got some appreciation for his dance in the popular song ‘Ho jaata hai kaise pyaar’. He is said to have received offers from Jyotin Goel and Rahul Rawail but was unable to sign their movies due to his contract with Feroz Khan. Around this time, he was rumoured to be engaged to actress Farheen, though both categorically denied it.

Vicky’s career didn’t go anywhere after Yalgaar and even Feroz Khan took time to start his next project, looking at that movie’s underperformance. His next film titled Prem Aggan came only in 1998, which was the launch pad for his own son Fardeen Khan.

Finally with no offers in hand, Vicky bid goodbye to Bollywood and went to lead a normal non-filmy life far away from the glitz and glamour of the movie industry. He is very much in Mumbai and lives with his family at his plush duplex apartment in Seven Bungalows, Andheri. He is said to travel frequently to Dubai for his business interests.

It is commonly believed that Yalgaar was the first and last time Vicky faced the camera but that isn’t true. He was part of Tina Ghai’s Punjabi album ‘Boliyaan’ in 2002 and appeared in one song along with her and Reema Lagoo.

To sum up, Vicky Arora remains a one film wonder and Yalgaar is his only ticket to Bollywood. He is another example of how some outsiders in this industry don’t even get a second chance!!