Actor Bimal Oberoi did not see this coming. What began as a supporting role in Dhurandhar has turned into a full-blown internet phenomenon, with his character Shirani \u2013 the calm, one-line-speaking fixer \u2013 becoming one of the most meme-worthy figures of the year.<\/p>\n
From being dubbed the \u201cBlinkit of Balochistan\u201d to \u201cHamza ka Doraemon,\u201d Shirani\u2019s deadpan efficiency has struck a chord with audiences online. And Oberoi, who has spent decades working behind the scenes and in smaller roles, is now enjoying a wave of unexpected popularity.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was really fun, quirky and, honestly, quite hilarious,\u201d Oberoi said, reacting to the meme fest around his character. \u201cShirani was a serious character in the film. Aditya Dhar and the team had been looking for someone for a long time, and I was very lucky to get it. But during the shoot, not even Aditya, who wrote the script, would have imagined that audiences would give the character such an identity. That just shows how creative and involved our audience is.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fans flood Bimal Oberoi with bizarre requests<\/p>\n
What followed was an avalanche of messages that blurred the line between fiction and reality. Fans began reaching out to him with bizarre and often hilarious requests, treating Shirani like a real-life problem solver.<\/p>\n
\u201cSomeone wrote, \u2018Sir, mera exam kal hai, maine preparation nahi ki, please mujhe padha dijiye (my exam is tomorrow, I haven\u2019t prepared, please teach me).\u2019 Another said, \u2018Sir, cylinder dilwa dijiye (please help me get a gas cylinder).\u2019 Ek ne likha, \u2018Sir, main bodybuilder hoon par protein ke paise nahi hain \u2014 kuch arrange kar dijiye (I\u2019m a bodybuilder, but I don\u2019t have money for protein \u2014 please arrange something),\u2019\u201d he shared.<\/p>\n
Oberoi can’t stop laughing<\/p>\n
The actor admits he\u2019s been thoroughly entertained by it all. “Main apna mobile uthata hoon aur hasta hi rehta Hoon (I pick up my phone and just keep laughing). It just doesn\u2019t stop \u2014 it keeps growing. I post one photo and it starts all over again.”<\/p>\n
The meme universe hasn\u2019t stopped at everyday requests. Shirani has also been inserted into global political scenarios, with users imagining him as the ultimate fixer even for world leaders where Modi is asking him to solve LPG crisis and Trump wants his help with Iran.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere was one with Trump asking me for ammunition to take care of Iran, and even Iranian leaders were shown asking me for help and Mr S Jaishankar too. Main toh haath jod ke baith jaata Hoon \u2014 yeh kahan kahan mera naam joda ja raha hai (I just sit with folded hands \u2014 where all is my name being dragged into)?\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Family reacts to his sudden internet fame<\/p>\n
At home too, the reaction has been one of amused disbelief. \u201cEven my father looks at these and laughs. He said, \u2018Yeh toh socha hi nahi tha ki tere saath aisa bhi hogs (never imagined something like this would happen to you).\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n