Mumbai: Actor Vivek Oberoi recently revealed about his journey from a Bollywood star to a successful businessman. In an exclusive interview with Screen, Vivek candidly shares his struggles with the inner workings of the film industry and his decision to secure his independence by diversifying his business ventures.
Vivek, who has been a part of 67 projects in a career spanning 22 years, described the entertainment industry as “a very unsafe place”. Despite her strong performances and award-winning roles, she revealed how she faced a lack of work due to factors beyond her talent.
Referring to the period after his acclaimed performance in Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007), Vivek said, “The Ganpat song went viral, and I won awards. Naturally, I expected a lot of offers, but instead, I sat at home for 14 to 15 months after the success of the film.
Frustrated with the lack of opportunities, Vivek decided to change his approach around 2009. He shared, “I didn’t want to be in a situation where a lobby could decide my future or bully me into doing something because they control things. That’s when I made the conscious decision to focus on building my financial independence.
Business became a lifeline for Vivek. “Business was always my Plan B and I decided that cinema would be my passion, not my livelihood,” he said. Vivek says that by doing this he got freedom from the pressure of the film industry. “I didn’t want to sell my soul or betray anyone – that’s not who I am. Some people may thrive in that environment, but for me, it was no way to live.
Despite his struggles in Bollywood, Vivek has successfully defined himself as an entrepreneur by continuing to work on select film projects. His journey serves as an inspiration for those who want to pursue their passion without compromising their values.
Today Vivek Oberoi has reportedly built an empire worth Rs 1200 crore and has become the richest actor compared to Allu Arjun and Ranbir Kapoor. The actor was last seen in Rohit Shetty’s web series Indian Police Force.
