Bollywood Actor Vivek Oberoi Opens Up About His Career Struggles
Vivek Oberoi, a former Bollywood sensation, has revealed the struggles he faced in his career, citing a pivotal moment in 2003 as the turning point. Oberoi, who made his debut in 2002 with films like ‘Company’, ‘Road’, ‘Dum’, and ‘Yuva’, was once considered the next big star in Bollywood. However, his career suddenly took a downturn after he accused Bollywood superstar Salman Khan of threatening him at a press conference.
Career Derailed After Confrontation with Salman Khan
In a recent conversation at the India Global Forum in London, Oberoi discussed how his career was going well before the press conference, where he accused Khan of threatening him. He said, "I got a lot of success, I was winning a lot of awards in my career and suddenly everything evaporated. Because some very powerful people in Bollywood decided that ‘you will not work here, we will not let this happen.’"
Overcoming Career Setbacks
Oberoi credited his mother for helping him overcome the difficult phase. He said, "I consider my mother as my idol. She is my hero. And she told me- ‘Focus on becoming someone else’s hero and you will feel like a hero, like a winner. The only way to become a hero from a victim is to become a hero for someone else. So you should find that person for whom you can become a hero.’"
Salman Khan Controversy
The controversy surrounding Oberoi’s relationship with Aishwarya Rai, which was a high-profile topic in the early 2000s, played a significant role in his career struggles. During a press conference in 2003, Oberoi alleged that Khan had threatened him due to his relationship with Rai. The controversy led to a factionalism against Oberoi, who was bullied for over 20 years.
Post-Controversy Career Struggles
Oberoi had revealed in an interview with Hindustan Times last year that after the press conference, he did not have a single project for about 14 months. His career struggles continued for several years, with Oberoi stating that he felt like a "victim" during that period.
