Did you know Vivek Oberoi walked out of his father’s film that could’ve launched him and then struggled for 18 months?

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As I reflect upon the journey of Vivek Oberoi, a man whose resilience and determination have been the bedrock of his success, I find myself in awe of his unwavering spirit. His story is one that embodies the essence of grit, self-belief, and the relentless pursuit of dreams.

As a lifestyle guide, I’d put it this way: “Just like Vivek Oberoi, I’ve learned that the road to success is often paved with tough decisions and unexpected twists. Recently, he opened up about his incredible journey, marked by both triumphs and setbacks. In the early stages of his career, he bravely declined a film that his father had planned as his debut, opting instead to forge his own path. Remarkably, when Ram Gopal Varma initially turned him down for the role in ‘Company,’ Vivek made a bold move – he immersed himself in a slum for three weeks to fully embody the character. This dedication and resilience are inspiring reminders that sometimes, the most impactful paths are those less traveled.

In an interview with Indian Express, Vivek Oberoi spoke about a pivotal point in his career where he opted out of a Bollywood debut arranged by his father. Instead of following his father’s plan, he yearned to create his own path based on merit and declined the film, even though it provided a sense of security.

This decision initiated an 18-month journey marked by rejections and doubts. Yet, Vivek considers this trying phase as a symbol of his accomplishments, underscoring the pride he feels in carving out his own path within the industry. He expressed, “I turned down that offer, battled through 18 months afterward, and experienced numerous rejections, but I am proud of the decision I made.

In 2002, Vivek made his acting debut in the movie “Company”, but it wasn’t easy for him to land the role as Ram Gopal Varma, the director, initially turned him down due to a perceived mismatch between Vivek’s polished and educated appearance and the gritty character of Chandu, a slum-dweller. Undeterred, Vivek persisted and asked for a meeting with Varma, even though the director was convinced he wasn’t right for the part.

Eager to cement his position at the company, the Saathiya actor chose an unusual route when RGV suggested waiting three weeks for a meeting. Instead of returning home, he decided to reside in a modest dwelling near the slums, renting a room there immediately and staying for three whole weeks. In his own words, “I skipped going home from his office; instead, I moved into a nearby slum, paid the rent, and lived there for those three weeks.

Vivek Oberoi chose to blend in with the surroundings and studied the language and actions of the people living there, to perfect his characterization of Chandu, a resident of the slums. To achieve an authentic portrayal, he sought assistance from a struggling photographer, offering him the opportunity to capture his first magazine cover spread if he managed to succeed.

To ensure he kept his position at the company, Vivek adopted the persona of Chandu for his last meeting with Ram Gopal Varma. He dressed accordingly, donning old slippers, baggy trousers, and a tattered shirt, complementing the look by holding a beedi. Upon entering Varma’s office, the actor burst in dramatically, radiating self-assurance, and scattered his character-based photos across the desk.

In an exceptionally focused manner, Vivek’s performance left the director awestruck, prompting him to extend the role right away. Yet, despite being asked, Vivek steadfastly declined to abandon his character, even when the director had to request him to cease smoking in his office. For Vivek, collaborating with this visionary director for Company was a long-cherished dream come true, validating every challenging step he took on his path.

Currently, Vivek Oberoi hasn’t been seen much on the big screen lately. His last notable role was in the 2019 biopic titled PM Narendra Modi.

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2024-12-07 14:12