Actor Olivier Lafont was in our city to promote his book which has been shortlisted for the Tibor Jones South Asia Prize
Olivier Lafont
When you primarily see yourself as a storyteller, being an actor, model, screen writer and even an author would most definitely come naturally to you. Olivier Lafont is a classic example of this case. The actor who got out a couple of giggles from the audience as Kareena Kapoor’s fiancé in 3 Idiots was in the city to launch his mythological adventure book, Warrior – something that was initially intended as a script for a Hollywood film.
“We know Bengaluru loves to read and this is something that they will take to,” promises the 35-year-old French man whose book has been shortlisted for the Tibor Jones South Asia Prize. Although he is the name behind several film screenplays, including his first – Hari Om that opened at the Toronto Film Festival and won several awards, Olivier has always been fascinated by the subject of his new book – history and mythology. “Warrior is a heroic adventure and a quest that has its roots deep in Indian mythology, history, and thought,” he reveals, as he signs books at Atta Galatta. “It’s the story of Saam, the last demigod son of Shiva, who has turned his back on his divine origin and powers and lives a deliberately mundane and simple life in Mumbai. His past drags him back into conflict however, with catastrophic omens heralding the imminent end of the world,” he adds about his novel that is set in present Mumbai but shuffles between his memories of the past, set in medieval India.
Although French, Olivier has always been charmed by Indian mythology specifically, the Mahabharata and Amar Chitra Katha comics. “I’ve always been interested in it and it probably comes from growing up with a father who was a historian and an archeologist. I vividly remember attempting to write my first book in my dad’s study when I was all of nine,” recollects the alumnus of Colgate University in New York, where he majored in theatre and English literature. He adds that his parents were always liberal about his choices but were often concerned about how viable acting was as a career.
With over 80 TV commercials, several international theatre productions and roles in films like Guzaarish, Paa, 3 Idiots, Ishqk in Paris, Zindaggi Rocks, Hero and Hollywood film Baby Sellers to his name, this lad from Lyon has come a long way. “Right now, I’m working on something new – writing feature film scripts for myself as an actor. It’s exciting since I can now tell the stories I want to tell,” says Olivier, who has a lineage of athleticism too! With his grandfather being a professional boxer and his father taking to wrestling and winning several medals in the ring, Olivier has played varsity basketball and was an unbeaten All-Star for two years in a row! “I’m more of a sports voyeur now,” he laughs, at the end of the day, choosing to unwind with his wife, for whom he has interestingly also penned down a romance novel.
( Source : deccan chronicle )
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