Vivek Oberoi, known for films like Saathiya and Company, has revealed the challenges he faced despite his commercial success. Following the acclaim of Shootout at Lokhandwala in 2007, Oberoi found himself out of work for over a year due to alleged lobbying within the industry.
Speaking to SCREEN, the actor disclosed, “After the success of Shootout at Lokhandwala, I expected a surge in offers. Instead, I sat at home for 14-15 months. It made me realize the industry’s insecurity and how external factors could dictate your future.”
Oberoi shared that his entrepreneurial journey was driven by the need for financial independence. “Business was always my Plan B. I decided cinema would remain my passion, but my livelihood needed to be independent of industry politics. It helped me escape the trap of lobbying and dependency.”
He emphasized that while some navigate these challenges by conforming, it wasn’t a lifestyle he could accept. “For me, it’s about living with integrity. The business allowed me that freedom,” he added.
Vivek Oberoi recently appeared in Rohit Shetty’s web series Indian Police Force, alongside Shilpa Shetty and Sidharth Malhotra. He will next be seen in Masti 4 with Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani. Oberoi’s journey from Bollywood to entrepreneurship serves as a testament to resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.