Actor, Vivek Oberoi proved his mettle time and again with films like Saathiya, Company, and Shootout At Lokhandwala, among others. However, what most may not know is that despite being a star kid, Vivek carved his own path in the industry. He could have taken the easy way out as his father, Suresh Oberoi planned to launch him in a film, but he turned the opportunity down. Instead, the talented actor struggled for 18 months to bag a role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company, only to be rejected by him initially.
Vivek Oberoi turned down debut in father’s film, paving his own way after an 18-month struggle
Vivek Oberoi recently had a candid chat with Indian Express, during which he discussed his acting career, which had been filled with ups and downs. The talented actor recalled a career-defining moment when he decided against being launched by his father, Suresh Oberoi. Instead, the star kid chose to build a name for himself based on his own merit, resulting in an 18-month-long struggle to land a role.
Vivek describes that time as being filled with rejection and uncertainty. Nevertheless, when he looks back at it now, he feels pride in being able to say that he earned his spot in the industry the hard way. In Vivek’s words:
“I walked away from that opportunity, struggled for 18 months after that, and faced a lot of rejection, but I am proud of that choice.”
Vivek Oberoi reveals living in a slum for three weeks to land a role in Company
Even after 18 months, Vivek Oberoi’s big break didn’t come easily. The actor opened up about the immense struggles he went through to secure a role in Ram Gopal Varma’s 2002 release, Company, for which he had initially been turned down. According to Vivek, the director thought his polished and educated appearance didn’t fit the image of ‘Chandu,’ a gritty slum-dweller.
However, Vivek wasn’t going to take no for an answer so easily. Determined to prove himself, the actor went the unconventional route. Vivek recalled requesting a meeting with Ram but asking him to wait three weeks for the same. Once that was arranged, Vivek went and rented a room in a nearby slum, instead of going home. For the next three weeks, that room became his home. In Vivek’s words:
“From his office I didn’t go home; I went straight to a nearby slum, took a room there, paid the rent, and moved into it. I lived there for 3 weeks.”
Vivek Oberoi showed up for his meeting with Ram Gopal Varma in the character of ‘Chandu’
During his three-week stay in the slum, Vivek Oberoi took note of how the locals behaved and spoke. He also enlisted the help of a struggling photographer on the pretext that the latter would shoot his first magazine cover if Vivek successfully landed the role. Once he had refined his portrayal of ‘Chandu,’ Vivek showed up in character for his meeting with Ram Gopal Varma. He even dressed the part, donning worn-out slippers, ill-fitting pants, and a torn vest.
Beedi in hand, Vivek kicked open the director’s door with utmost confidence and threw down his character-driven photos on the latter’s desk. Ram, utterly blown away by Vivek’s performance, offered him the role immediately. However, Vivek refused to break character even after that, flat-out ignoring Ram’s request to stop smoking in his office. With that, Vivek’s months of struggle and hard work ended up being completely worth it.
What do you think about Vivek Oberoi choosing not to debut with his father’s film and pave his own path?
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