Vivek Oberoi

Vivek Oberoi is an acclaimed Indian actor and businessman known for his versatile performances across Hindi and South Indian cinema since his 2002 debut, and for his philanthropic efforts.

1. Overview

Vivek Anand Oberoi is an acclaimed Indian actor and businessman known for his versatile performances across Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam cinema. The son of actor Suresh Oberoi, he made a notable debut in 2002 with critically acclaimed roles in the crime film Company and the romantic drama Saathiya, earning him two Filmfare Awards for his debut. Throughout his career, Oberoi has navigated a diverse range of genres, from commercial comedies like Masti to intense action and villainous roles in films such as Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) and the superhero film Krrish 3 (2013).

Beyond his acting endeavors, Oberoi has expanded into South Indian cinema, taking on antagonist roles in popular films like Vivegam (2017) and Lucifer (2019). He has also served as a judge on television reality shows, showcasing his broader presence in the entertainment industry. While some of his later roles, particularly his portrayal of Narendra Modi in PM Narendra Modi (2019), faced significant critical backlash as a hagiography, his philanthropic efforts, including donating flats to military families and contributing to medical relief, highlight a commitment to social causes. His personal life, including a high-profile past relationship with Aishwarya Rai and his subsequent marriage to Priyanka Alva, has also been a subject of public attention.

2. Early Life and Background

Vivek Oberoi's foundational years were shaped by a family deeply rooted in both the performing arts and business, influencing his early life and career choices.

2.1. Birth, Family, and Name Origin

Vivek Anand Oberoi was born on September 3, 1976, in Hyderabad, Telangana, India. His father, Suresh Oberoi, is a notable Punjabi actor in Bollywood, while his mother, Yashodhara, hails from a Punjabi business family that had settled in Chennai. This unique family background contributed to Oberoi's multicultural upbringing; he is fluent in the Tamil due to his mother's family's assimilation in the region.

His full first name, Vivekanand, is derived from the revered Hindu monk Swami Vivekananda, whom both his father and grandfathers admired and followed. When he ventured into the film industry, Oberoi chose to drop "Anand" from his professional name, opting to be known simply as Vivek Oberoi. He explained this decision as a mark of respect for Swami Vivekananda, feeling it would be inappropriate to use the monk's name while performing romantic scenes or dancing on screen.

2.2. Education

Oberoi's educational journey spanned prestigious institutions and specialized training, providing him with a strong foundation in both academics and the performing arts. He attended Mayo College in Ajmer and later Mithibai College in Mumbai. His passion for acting led him to an actors' workshop in London, where his talent was noticed by a director from New York University. This encounter led to Oberoi pursuing and completing his master's degree in film acting at New York University. After returning to India, he also engaged in scriptwriting, further broadening his creative pursuits within the entertainment industry.

3. Career

Vivek Oberoi's career has seen him transition from a promising newcomer to a diverse actor, often taking on challenging roles across various Indian film industries and television.

3.1. Early Career (2002-2009)

Vivek Oberoi made his film debut in 2002 with Ram Gopal Varma's gangster film Company, which achieved both critical and commercial success. Critics widely praised his performance, with Jyoti Shukla of Rediff.com calling it a "fast-paced film anchored by brilliant performances" and specifically highlighting Oberoi's contribution. Derek Elley of Variety noted Company as a "dark and realistic look at the Mumbai underworld" that offered something different while adhering to Hindi cinema norms. Raja Sen later described the film as a "finely plotted duel" that left audiences "battered, bruised and craving more". For his work in Company, Oberoi received two Filmfare Awards for Best Male Debut and Best Supporting Actor.

In the same year, he appeared in the action films Road and Dum. He concluded 2002 with the romantic drama Saathiya, co-starring Rani Mukerji. This film was also a critical and commercial success, earning him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

In 2004, Oberoi starred in the comedy Masti and the political thriller Yuva, both of which were critically and commercially successful. He also appeared in Kyun! Ho Gaya Na.... In 2005, he took on the title role in Subhash Ghai's Kisna: The Warrior Poet, and made a special appearance as a narrator in Deewane Huye Paagal.

The year 2006 saw Oberoi in the crime drama Omkara, Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of Shakespeare's play Othello. He played Kesu, a character based on Michael Cassio, and his performance garnered praise, with renowned lyricist Gulzar personally congratulating him. He also appeared in Home Delivery: Aapko... Ghar Tak, Pyare Mohan, and Naksha.

In 2007, Oberoi portrayed the real-life gangster Maya Dolas in Shootout at Lokhandwala. His intense portrayal earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Villain. He also featured in Fool n Final.

Oberoi starred in Mission Istaanbul (2008), directed by Apoorva Lakhia. While he performed the song "Apun Ke Saath" from the film at the 2008 International Indian Film Academy Awards, the film itself received largely negative reviews from critics. Bollywood Hungama rated it low, and The Hindu stated it had "no sting," with Rediff.com and Hindustan Times also giving it poor ratings, citing a "banal theme" and "boring acting."

In 2009, Oberoi had a guest appearance as himself in Luck by Chance. He also starred in the romantic thriller Kurbaan, directed by Rensil D'Silva and produced by Dharma Productions. Despite receiving positive critical reviews for its direction, screenplay, soundtrack, and performances, Box Office India declared it a commercial flop.

3.2. Mid-Career (2010-2019)

The 2010s marked a period of both commercial successes and critical setbacks for Vivek Oberoi, alongside his expansion into diverse regional cinemas and television.

In 2010, Oberoi appeared in Prince, where he played the titular character. Despite a strong opening at the box office, the film failed to sustain audience interest and was deemed a commercial failure. Critical reception was mixed; while some reviewers praised Oberoi's "bravura" performance, the film's "Hollywood style" action, and its visual effects, others found it "over-the-top and unrealistic," criticizing its reliance on futuristic gadgets and lack of logic. Subhash K. Jha, despite finding the film overly aggressive, commended Oberoi's ability to carry off the "ceaseless stint with the stunt with arresting aplomb."

Later in 2010, he starred in Ram Gopal Varma's two-part film Rakht Charitra, where he portrayed the real-life Telugu politician Paritala Ravi. Oberoi's performance in this role garnered widespread praise, with critics noting his powerful portrayal. Renuka Rao of DNA India lauded the film, stating it could "actually evoke some emotions." Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama praised the film's proficient handling of its violent and graphic subject matter. Nikhat Kazmi of Times of India called it a "brutal mirror on the muck that masquerades as democracy in India," while Rajeev Masand of CNN-IBN described it as a "bold, disturbing film that's bursting with the kind of confidence we haven't seen from the filmmaker recently."

In 2011, Oberoi ventured into production with the film Dekh Indian Circus. This film achieved international recognition, being featured at the 16th Busan International Film Festival where it won the Audience Choice Award for Best Film, marking the first time an Indian film had received this honor in the festival's history. The film also earned overwhelmingly positive reviews from international critics, including those from The Hollywood Reporter and Variety, who praised its ability to address themes of inequality and corruption through a family comedy.

However, his next film, Kismat Love Paisa Dilli, released in October 2012, was a box office failure and failed to resonate with audiences.

In 2013, Oberoi played the supervillain Kaal in the highly anticipated superhero film Krrish 3. The film received generally positive reviews, with critics commending the cast's performances, particularly those of Hrithik Roshan, Kangana Ranaut, and Oberoi himself, along with the visual effects, cinematography, and direction. However, some criticisms were directed at the film's lack of originality, its soundtrack, and its writing. Despite some reservations, critics like Taran Adarsh and Madhureeta Mukherjee praised it as a "splendid superhero film" and an "exhilarating ride" for its vision and execution. Anupama Chopra called it "ambitious and exciting," while Sarita Tanwar highlighted its "fast-paced" nature and "smashing VFX effects." This role earned him his second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor. In the same year, he also starred in Zila Ghaziabad, Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story, and Grand Masti.

In May 2014, Oberoi lent his voice to the Hindi-dubbed version of The Amazing Spider-Man 2, portraying the villain Electro. In 2016, he reprised his role in Great Grand Masti.

Oberoi expanded his reach into South Indian cinema, starring alongside Ajith Kumar in the Tamil action thriller Vivegam (2017), playing the antagonist Aryan Singha. The film received mixed reviews, with critics acknowledging it as an "over-the-top but engaging action thriller" that effectively catered to fans. However, some reviews found it let down by "silly scenes" or being "utterly boring" for non-fans, with its action and climax being criticized for lacking logic. His performance in Vivegam earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Tamil. He also worked on the YRF banner's film Bank Chor (2017), alongside Rhea Chakraborty and Riteish Deshmukh.

In 2019, Oberoi appeared in the Telugu film Vinaya Vidheya Rama, which received overwhelmingly negative reviews and became a significant box-office bomb, prompting lead actor Ram Charan to issue an apology letter to fans. Critics from The Indian Express, The New Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and Firstpost widely panned the film as "clumsy and unconvincing," filled with "unreal heroics," a "mess," and an "assault on the senses," highlighting its detachment from realism.

Despite the setback with Vinaya Vidheya Rama, Oberoi made his Malayalam debut in the same year with Mohanlal in Prithviraj Sukumaran's directorial debut, Lucifer. His portrayal of the main antagonist, Bobby, was well-received by both critics and audiences, proving a strong villainous turn. The Times of India called Lucifer a "mass entertainer" and an "engaging thriller."

Oberoi has also been a prominent figure on television, serving as a talent judge for three seasons of the reality show India's Best Dramebaaz. A controversial role during this period was his portrayal of India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the biographical film PM Narendra Modi (2019). The film was largely panned by critics, who widely described it as a hagiography and criticized Oberoi's performance. While some found his mannerisms and accent accurate, reviews from News18, The Indian Express, and The Hindu called it "lopsided," an "unabashed, unapologetic hagiography," and an "obsequious love letter" that oversimplified the subject.

3.3. Recent Activities (2022-present)

In 2022, Vivek Oberoi starred in the Malayalam language film Kaduva, opposite Prithviraj Sukumaran. The film received mixed reviews, with critics like Sajin Shrijith of The New Indian Express finding Oberoi's character "basic", but it proved to be a commercial success. He also featured in the short film Verses of War. Expanding his presence in the digital space, Oberoi subsequently starred in the MX Player series Dharavi Bank alongside Suniel Shetty, further showcasing his ongoing commitment to various platforms within the entertainment industry.

4. Personal Life

Vivek Oberoi's personal life has often been in the public eye, particularly his high-profile relationships and his commitment to family.

4.1. Relationships and Marriage

Early in his career, Oberoi was publicly involved in a relationship with his Kyun! Ho Gaya Na... co-star Aishwarya Rai. This relationship became a significant media event, notably in 2003 when Oberoi publicly claimed that Rai's former boyfriend, actor Salman Khan, had threatened him. The highly publicized dispute contributed to the eventual dissolution of Oberoi and Rai's relationship in 2005.

Years later, on October 29, 2010, Vivek Oberoi married Priyanka Alva in Bangalore. Priyanka is the daughter of Jeevaraj Alva, a former Karnataka minister, bringing a connection to political circles into his personal life.

4.2. Family and Personal Habits

Vivek and Priyanka Oberoi have two children: a son and a daughter. Their family life remains largely private, though occasional details emerge through public appearances.

Beyond his family, Oberoi is known for his personal choices, including adopting a vegetarian diet. He has publicly stated that actress Kareena Kapoor served as his inspiration for making this dietary change.

5. Philanthropy

Vivek Oberoi has actively engaged in various humanitarian efforts and social contributions, utilizing his public platform and business ventures to support charitable causes.

Through his company, Karrm Infrastructure Pvt Ltd., Oberoi has made significant contributions to the welfare of military families. Notably, his company donated 25 flats in the Thane district of Maharashtra to the families of Central Reserve Police Force officers who were killed in action, providing tangible support to those affected by service.

Overall, Oberoi has personally donated approximately 3.00 M INR and has played a crucial role in helping to raise around 25.00 M INR for various philanthropic initiatives. In 2021, demonstrating his responsiveness to immediate societal needs, he donated 2.50 M INR to a fund established to address the critical shortage of oxygen cylinders in hospitals during a health crisis, underscoring his commitment to public welfare.

6. Critical Reception and Accolades

Vivek Oberoi's acting career has been marked by a varied critical reception, with his performances drawing both significant praise and notable criticism, alongside numerous awards and nominations.

6.1. Overview of Filmography and Critical Reception

Oberoi's debut in Company was met with widespread critical acclaim, establishing him as a promising talent capable of delivering intense performances. His role in Saathiya further solidified his position as a romantic lead, earning him a Best Actor nomination. Subsequent films like Masti and Yuva demonstrated his versatility in comedy and political thrillers, both enjoying critical and commercial success.

His portrayal of Kesu in Omkara was particularly lauded, including commendation from veteran lyricist Gulzar, for his nuanced performance in this adaptation of Othello. Similarly, his depiction of the gangster Maya Dolas in Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) was compelling enough to earn him a Filmfare nomination for Best Villain, showcasing his ability to embody complex negative roles.

However, not all his ventures met with such positive reception. Films like Mission Istaanbul (2008) and Kismat Love Paisa Dilli (2012) were met with overwhelmingly negative reviews, often criticized for their uninspired themes, weak execution, and poor box office performance. Prince also received mixed reviews, with some critics appreciating his action sequences but lamenting the film's overall lack of realism.

A highlight in his career was his villainous role as Kaal in Krrish 3 (2013), which was generally well-received by critics who praised his performance and the film's visual effects, despite some criticisms regarding its originality. He garnered widespread praise for his portrayal of the Telugu politician Paritala Ravi in Rakht Charitra (2010), with critics commending the film's bold and disturbing narrative. His production, Dekh Indian Circus (2011), was critically acclaimed internationally, winning an audience award at the Busan Film Festival and praised for its social commentary.

Later in his career, his roles in South Indian cinema, such as the antagonist in Vivegam (2017) and Bobby in Lucifer (2019), were generally well-received, particularly his performance in Lucifer. In contrast, his Telugu film Vinaya Vidheya Rama (2019) was a critical and commercial failure, widely criticized for its unrealistic heroics and assault on the senses.

Perhaps his most controversial role was his portrayal of Narendra Modi in the 2019 biopic PM Narendra Modi. This film was universally panned by critics, who condemned it as an overt hagiography, with many criticizing Oberoi's performance for lacking depth and serving purely as a propaganda piece. Reviewers often referred to it as an "unabashed, unapologetic hagiography" and an "obsequious love letter" that avoided critical examination, ultimately undermining its artistic merit.

6.2. Awards and Nominations

Throughout his career, Vivek Oberoi has received numerous awards and nominations for his contributions to Indian cinema:

Year	Award	Category	Work	Result
2020	Asianet Film Awards	Best Actor in a Negative Role	Lucifer	Won
2008	AXN Action Awards	Best Action Actor in a Negative Role	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Won
2003	Bollywood Movie Awards	Best Male Debut	Company	Won
2007	Bollywood Movie Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Omkara	Won
2003	Filmfare Awards	Best Debut	Company	Won
2003	Filmfare Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Company	Won
2003	Filmfare Awards	Best Actor	Saathiya	Nominated
2008	Filmfare Awards	Best Villain	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Nominated
2013	Filmfare Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Krrish 3	Nominated
2018	Filmfare Awards South	Best Supporting Actor - Tamil	Vivegam	Nominated
2008	International Indian Film Academy Awards	Best Villain	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Won
2010	International Indian Film Academy Awards	Green Global Award	-	Won
2003	Screen Awards	Best Male Debut	Company	Won
2008	Screen Awards	Best Villain	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Nominated
2018	South Indian International Movie Awards	Best Actor in a Negative Role	Vivegam	Won
2021	South Indian International Movie Awards	Best Actor in a Negative Role	Vinaya Vidheya Rama	Nominated
2021	South Indian International Movie Awards	Best Actor in a Negative Role	Lucifer	Won
2003	Stardust Awards	Superstar of Tomorrow - Male	Saathiya	Won
2003	Stardust Awards	Superstar of Tomorrow - Male	Road	Won
2004	Stardust Awards	Best Supporting Actor	Yuva	Won
2008	Stardust Awards	Standout Performance of the Year	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Won
2008	Stardust Awards	Best Actor in a Negative Role	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Won
2020	Vanitha Film Awards	Best Actor in a Negative Role	Lucifer	Won
2003	Zee Cine Awards	Best Male Debut	Company	Won
2003	Zee Cine Awards	Best Actor in a Supporting Role - Male	Company	Won
2008	Zee Cine Awards	Best Actor in a Negative Role	Shootout at Lokhandwala	Won