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Vivek Oberoi says Akshay Kumar helped him get work amid his Bollywood boycott: ‘He didn’t say he would fight against lobby, but…’

Vivek Oberoi said he was being "boycotted" by a section in the industry when Akshay Kumar heard his problem and started diverting work towards him.

4 min read
Vivek Oberoi opened up about his friendship with Akshay Kumar.Vivek Oberoi spoke about his friendship with Akshay Kumar and how the actor helped him during a dark phase. (Photo: Vivek Oberoi, Akshay Kumar/Instagram)

Actor Vivek Oberoi says he values his friendship with Akshay Kumar, as the superstar was among those who had reached out to him when he was “depressed” with his career at an all-time low. Vivek recalled how he was down and out, “band baji hui thi mere career ki” when he got a call from Akshay Kumar. The actor said he told Akshay that he was “very depressed” and was surprised to see that the superstar showed up half an hour later at his house.

Also Read | Vivek Oberoi recalls changing clothes in restaurant washrooms, sleeping on benches during Saathiya shoot: ‘Shot for 18-20 hours a day’

Back then, Vivek said he felt was being “boycotted” by a section in the industry and Akshay heard everything, after which he offered him a practical solution which changed his life.

“‘Bata kya problem chal rahi hai teri life mein?’ he asked me and then let me vent out, air my problems, pain. He heard me patiently and said, ‘I can help you with a positive mindset. There are several shows going on, and you have blockbuster songs. I am shooting a lot, so I can’t do these shows, but whatever enquiries come to me, I will divert it to you. You do it.’

“Who does that! Because of that I started getting back on stage, fans started cheering and a good positive energy was around me. My frustration was I was doing hit films, was getting awards, but why was I not getting work. Why was I getting boycotted like this? He didn’t say I will stand up with you, fight this war against this lobby. He gave a practical, simple solution, which gave me money, good feeling, love and a lot of fun,” the actor said in an interview to Mirchi Plus.

In the interaction, Vivek also spoke about other people in the industry, who he is friends with and mentioned his Krrish 3 star Hrithik Rohan. Crediting him for the superhero film, Vivek said that is a result of Hrithik’s “madness”.

“He is such a perfectionist. He is so crazy, committed, dedicated. I spent so much time with him during the shoot. He would wake up, go to the gym, read the script, prep, monitor the set, check if every shot is perfect. Respect to the director and action director, but I would quietly even ask him if the shot was good or if I should ask for one more take. His observation and commitment is to another level,” he added.

Vivek was also full of praise for superstar Shah Rukh Khan and noted how the actor attended a school ceremony of his son AbRam. “I am a big SRK fan, have always been since I was in college. I have loved his movies, love the way he has a take on everything, whether it is cinema or life.

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“I had the good fortune of knowing him as a friend, a well wisher and guide, He has given me nothing but love. He is a megastar but has no air. He took time for AbRam, and was sitting on the floor with the kids, teachers and parents. What a chill person,” he added.

Vivek Oberoi was recently seen in Indian Police Force, which was headlined by Sidharth Malhotra and directed by Rohit Shetty. Akshay Kumar will be next seen in the actioner Bade Miyan Chote Miyan.

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  • Akshay Kumar Hrithik Roshan Shah Rukh Khan Vivek Oberoi
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