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Vivek Oberoi Reflects on His Early Career and Challenges During Saathiya
Actor Vivek Oberoi, known for his significant contributions to the film industry over the past 22 years, recently opened up about his journey, offering a glimpse into his past experiences while filming Saathiya. Although he has shifted focus to business endeavors, with a net worth exceeding Rs 1200 crores, Oberoi’s reflections reveal the demanding circumstances he faced as a budding actor.
In a candid interview with SCREEN, Oberoi shared that he initially declined the role in Saathiya. He recounted, “Shaad Ali, a childhood buddy, reached out to me one day to discuss a film. He showed me footage from a Tamil film called Alaipayuthey and mentioned he wanted me for the role originally played by Maddy. At that moment, I was busy working on Company and turned him down. However, after watching the movie, I was moved to tears and felt compelled to be part of Saathiya. After discussions with Mr. Verma, I ultimately committed to the project.”
Reflecting on the practical challenges he encountered during the shoot, Oberoi explained, “As a low-budget film, only Rani had access to a makeup van. I had to change in the bathrooms of restaurants and hotels. I managed quick touch-ups in the streets, completely blending in as nobody recognized me then. In those early days, I would carry the tripod on my shoulder alongside the crew. There were times I worked for over 22 hours non-stop while filming Saathiya, often catching short naps on newspapers laid out on benches to stay fresh.”
Vivek also shared a memorable incident where he was overwhelmed by fans during a shoot. “On April 12, 2002, following the release of Company, we were filming near Gaiety Galaxy for a scene where I chase Rani. What began as a typical day suddenly escalated when people started calling me Chandu Bhai. Within moments, a crowd of nearly 2000 had gathered, completely disrupting our security measures. I felt a wave of panic as we were losing shooting time. Shaad quickly acted, pushing me into Rani’s makeup van, where I observed from the window as fans shouted dialogue from the film. Eventually, police had to step in, and I was escorted away in a police van, feeling more like a common criminal than a star. Shaad reminded me that the chaos was a sign of my rising fame. We ultimately reshot the scene the following Sunday with proper security.”
Currently, Vivek Oberoi is keeping busy with new projects, having recently appeared in Indian Police Force and now working on the next installment of Masti 4.
Source
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