Mumbai: Vivek Oberoi recently spoke about the ups and downs of his career at a Franchise India event, explaining how the entertainment industry can be both rewarding and unforgiving. Sharing his experiences, Oberoi spoke candidly about the challenges of dealing with career decline, financial struggles and the pressure of maintaining a certain lifestyle as an actor.
On the unpredictability of the industry:
He highlighted how fleeting success can be in Bollywood, “The film industry has been the kind of industry where one night you feel like you’ve made it, everyone is standing behind you, waiting for your time. Is spending crores for this. And then, for whatever reason, you end up in a vulnerable position.”
Oberoi revealed how he used to measure his success by the number of bouquets he received on his birthday. “When you are doing well, there is no room in the house for a bouquet of producers, directors and co-stars. But when your films are not doing well, the number of bouquets starts going down, and you realise, ‘Oh!’ “I’m not doing very well, am I?”
On financial struggles and social perception:
Despite his celebrity status, Oberoi admitted that he faced financial pressures, including worrying about paying EMIs and running his household. He explained the cost of maintaining a certain perception in the public eye, “Actors need to create a perception, and maintaining that perception costs money. People assume, ‘He’s an actor, What problems could he possibly have?’ But actors also have their own problems. They are used to a certain lifestyle and it comes with its expenses.”
Vivek shares how overcoming these struggles has empowered him today. They no longer feel the need to do projects just for financial reasons.”
Vivek Oberoi’s journey in Bollywood has been no less than ups and downs. After making a stellar debut with Ram Gopal Varma’s Company (2002), which earned him critical acclaim and awards, he quickly rose to fame with successful films like Saathiya and Yuva, cementing his position as a promising young talent. . However, his career momentum declined drastically due to a combination of personal disputes and professional setbacks.
One of the biggest turning points in Oberoi’s career was her public feud with Salman Khan, which reportedly led to a significant backlash within the industry. This feud, coupled with continuous box office failures, affected his professional relationships, leaving him isolated in Bollywood. For some time, Oberoi struggled to regain his lost stardom, while many doors seemed closed to him.
In recent years, Vivek Oberoi has reinvented himself by choosing diverse and meaningful roles that showcase his versatility as an actor. Her performance in the Amazon Prime series Inside Edge earned her widespread praise, marking her successful debut in the digital arena. He proved his worth with impactful roles in projects like Indian Police Force, directed by Rohit Shetty, where he embraced his talent for deep and layered characters.
With a renewed focus on his art and willingness to work on challenging projects, Oberoi has again managed to carve a niche for himself in the industry.
