Vivek Oberoi Shares How He Fought for His Role in Company

Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi recently shared an interesting story about how he landed his breakthrough role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company. Surprisingly, the director initially rejected him for the part of Chandu, a performance that later won Vivek critical acclaim and several awards.

In an interview, Vivek talked about his unconventional journey in the film industry. Unlike many star kids, he chose not to take the easy path. He turned down an opportunity to debut in a film directed by his father, Suresh Oberoi, and instead decided to make it on his own.

“My father wanted to launch me with a film by Abbas-Mustan, but I didn’t want him to spend money on my debut. I wanted to earn my place based on merit. He respected my decision, but it wasn’t easy. I struggled for 18 months, faced rejections, and went through a tough time, but I’m proud of the choice I made,” Vivek shared.

When Vivek first met Ram Gopal Varma for Company, the director wasn’t convinced. “He saw my pictures and rejected me right away. He said I looked too polished and educated to play Chandu, a gritty, street-smart character. I begged him for one meeting, but he was firm,” Vivek recalled.

Determined to prove himself, Vivek decided to transform into the character. “I left Varma’s office and went straight to a slum. I rented a room there, stayed for three weeks, and started observing and recording how people spoke and behaved. I wanted to understand their world and pick up the details,” he explained.

Vivek’s hard work paid off. Though he doubted himself initially, his performance on the first day of shooting impressed Ram Gopal Varma. The film went on to become a critical success, with Vivek’s portrayal of Chandu earning him praise as one of the best debuts in Indian cinema.

Looking back, Vivek expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “It was a life-changing moment. I’ll always be thankful to Ramu sir for believing in me, even though it took some convincing,” he said with a smile.