NEW DEHLI – Indian film actor Vivek Oberoi has proficiency in handling negative roles that require finesse. He has played a gangster in many movies and the audience has loved him. “Essaying gangster roles has always given me a kick and an adrenaline rush that is indescribable,” Vivek told IANS, when asked what he really likes about such roles. “I have played a gangster in three blockbusters and my fans enjoy watching me essay these roles. And to me that is the greatest testimony,” he added. Talking about his characters – Chandu from “Company” (2002), Maya Dolas from “Shootout at Lokhandwala” (2007) and Pratap Ravi from “Rakht Charitra” (2010), the 39-year-old actor said that all these characters were so layered, The Indian Express reported. Vivek also enjoys versatility – sometimes as a lover-boy in a film like “Saathiya” and sometimes in comic capers like “Masti”. But he says he has been especially lauded whenever he has played grey characters. “It was never really a conscious decision to only portray grey characters. I enjoy doing versatile roles. However, the kind of response and reactions that I received for my gangster roles, have been phenomenal,” he said. In almost 15 years since his debut, Vivek has played an array of characters from romantic, comedy, negative and action films like “Saathiya”, “Kisna”, “Masti”, “Mission Istaanbul”, “Yuva” and “Omkara”. Last seen on screen in 2013 along with actors Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra and Kangana Ranaut in “Krrish 3”, is now looking forward to his part in “Rai”, which is inspired by a real life character. How is he preparing for the title role? “Apart from working on the look, my physique and the finer nuances of the character, I have also met with people who knew Muthappa Rai closely. At the moment, that is all we can reveal,” added the “Prince” actor. Vivek said that there was a lot of homework that is going into this role. The “Zila Ghaziabad” star says the story for “Rai” will be told in an interesting and an entertaining manner. At a time when slice-of-life films and biopics on national heroes and icons are doing so well, what made him go for “Rai”? “The film is based on the life of Muthappa Rai, a former underworld don from South India who went on to become an entrepreneur. It is an interesting story told in the most entertaining manner. It will definitely break the clutter,” Vivek said.