Vivek Oberoi opens about how the industry ‘is a very insecure place’; says, “I didn’t want to be in a situation where a lobby could decide your future”

In a heartfelt conversation, Vivek Oberoi discussed about turning his attention to business, from acting.

December 4, 2024 - 3:40 PM IST

While his name is associated with some of the biggest blockbusters like Saathiya, Yuva, Omkara, and Shootout At Lokhandwala, Vivek Oberoi makes only far and few appearances in movies and web-series. Having said that, let us remind you that this popular actor is also a hardcore businessman running massive companies which gives him financial independence. Opening up about turning his attention from acting to business, the actor confessed that it was the ‘lobbying’ culture of film industry which forced him to switch to Plan B.

Vivek Oberoi opens about how the industry ‘is a very insecure place’; says, “I didn’t want to be in a situation where a lobby could decide your future”

In an interview, Vivek Oberoi went on to confess that after the success of Shootout At Lokhadwala, while he expected offers to pour his way, he remained jobless for about 19 months. “I have done about 67 projects in 22 years, but the industry is a very insecure place. You could be performing well, winning awards, and doing your job as an actor, but at the same time, you can get no work for other reasons. After 2007 when I did Shootout At Lokhandwala, the Ganpat song went viral, I won awards, so I expected a lot of offers, but I didn’t get any. I sat at home for 14 to 15 months after the success of the film”, he revealed in an interaction with Screen.

He continued, “It was only around the 2009 mark when I decided I didn’t want to be completely dependent on this but build my economic independence. I didn’t want to be in a situation where a lobby could decide your future. Somebody could bully you into doing something because they controlled things.” Vivek further stated how he wanted to seek financial independence which was of key importance. “Business was always a Plan B, and I decided cinema will be my passion. My livelihood should be my business, which helped me earn my independence and get out of that whole trap of lobbies, or having to sell your soul or suck up to somebody that is no great way to live at least for me. Some people make a living out of it but for me, that’s not the case,” he added.

Over the past few years, Vivek Oberoi has also explored movies in other languages and has received much love for his role in films like Lucifer, Rustum, Kaduva, among others. He is also known for web-series like Inside Edge and Dharavi Bank. His recent appearance was in the Rohit Shetty cop drama Indian Police Force where he shared screen space with Shilpa Shetty and Sidharth Malhotra.

Also Read: Kavita Kaushik praises Vivek Oberoi, sparks debate with cryptic remark: “Fought against the biggest, but we as a country are charmed with Swag…”