Vivek Oberoi, who marked his Bollywood debut with a successful start, has recently opened up about the difficult phase in his career during the early 2000s when he felt alienated by the industry. In a recent interview, Oberoi recalled being sidelined after the 2003 controversy involving Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai.
Despite receiving critical acclaim for his performances in films like "Omkara" and "Shootout at Lokhandwala," Vivek revealed that he was often denied work due to the prevalence of industry politics. He explained that people appreciated his performances but were hesitant to cast him, fearing it would ruin their relationships with influential figures. Oberoi described the situation as feeling helpless, which eventually led to depression.
The actor shared insights into the unspoken rules that governed Bollywood at the time. He recounted being told, "Samajh ja yaar. Kaun pange lega? (Try to understand. Who would take a risk?)". Oberoi felt that there was no logic to it, as his hard work and performances were often overshadowed by a controlling lobby.
Vivek's career downturn began after he accused Salman Khan of intimidation and harassing Aishwarya Rai in 2003. Following a press conference where Vivek spoke about the threats he received from Salman, he became "the guy nobody was supposed to work with". Despite appearing in successful films, opportunities dwindled by the mid-2000s.
In an older interview, Vivek expressed his desire to become economically independent from his Bollywood career. He stated that around 2009, he decided he didn't want to be completely dependent on the film industry and built his economic independence. He didn't want to be in a situation where a lobby could decide his future or bully him into doing something because they controlled things.
Despite the professional challenges, Vivek has reportedly accumulated a net worth of over ₹1200 crore through investments in real estate, lab diamonds, premium gin, and ed-tech sectors. When questioned about his net worth, Vivek said that God has given him enough that many generations of his can be taken care of. He mentioned his involvement in various successful ventures, including FinTech, EdTech, roadside safety assistance, and lab-grown diamond jewelry companies.
Looking back at his initial days in the industry, Vivek shared that he started his journey by assisting choreographer Farah Khan, where he performed tasks such as cleaning rehearsal rooms and serving tea to dancers. He deliberately concealed his background to learn through hard work and humility.
Currently, Vivek is optimistic about the changes in the industry, acknowledging the rise of OTT platforms that prioritize talent. He believes that these platforms have brought good quality talent to the forefront, diminishing the influence of old-school lobbying.
On the work front, Vivek’s latest film, "Mastiii 4," directed by Milap Zaveri, is currently in theaters. The movie reunites him with Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani.
