I AM THE COMEBACK KID: VIVEK OBEROI

Juhi Chakraborty

His career has been a perfect example of a roller-coaster ride — from major highs to the lowest of lows. But Vivek Oberoi says throughout his career, which began in 2002 with Company, people have written him off so many times that he has lost count.

“I feel that I hold the record for the most number of obituaries written for someone’s career. I have seen so many Fridays when people have said, ‘Oh! This time he is over’. But I am the comeback kid. I keep bouncing back. It has been a fun ride,” the actor says.

However, Vivek never lets the negativity affect him in any way. Explaining how he does that, he says, “I use this trick, this brilliant thing the universe has given me — the power of choice. I choose to completely ignore the naysayers. Anything negative comes, I just throw it out.”

The 43-year-old says a major reason why he remains unaffected is because he is more than just a film actor; he is also a businessman and philanthropist. “I am lucky that I branched out beyond films. It has made me economically empowered as I don’t have to work for money. I work for pleasure and for the joy of the art,” shares the actor, who currently stars in the second season of web series Inside Edge.

Vivek says he is also one of the very few actors who believe in disrupting the norm every single time. When he was starting off, he rejected a film that was backed by his father, actor Suresh Oberoi, and was written by director duo AbbasMustan. He, instead, opted for an unconventional debut with Company and, then, never really stuck to a particular genre — be it crime drama, comedy or romance.

“The trend was beta vilayat se padhayi karke ayega aur papa ek rocket ki tarah use launch karenge. You would make a complete show reel of a film in which you would show your son dancing, riding horses, wearing designer clothes and romance girls. I had crises of conscience, and opted out of the whole golden spoon being handed out to me,” Vivek says.

PHOTO: MANOJ VERMA/HT