Actor Vivek Oberoi has opened up about one of the darkest chapters of his professional and personal life, recalling how he believes a powerful lobby in Bollywood affected his career and left him struggling with anger, alcohol and self-hate. In a recent interview with the YouTube channel Relearn, the actor described the period as “real hell” and spoke about the professional isolation he says he experienced after 2004.
Oberoi, who entered the film industry with considerable promise and delivered successful films early in his career, said that his circumstances changed dramatically after he took a stand on something he believed was wrong. According to the actor, the support he had initially received began disappearing, and several people in the industry became reluctant to work with him.
Vivek Oberoi Says a Powerful Lobby Sidelined Him
Recalling the difficult phase, Vivek said that despite delivering successful films and receiving recognition for his performances, he suddenly found himself isolated. He claimed that a powerful lobby gained influence over the situation, making him an unwelcome presence in sections of the industry.
“A very powerful lobby kind of just took over and I became persona non grata,” he said during the conversation.
The actor alleged that he was removed from several projects he had already signed. He also claimed that some filmmakers who had initially promised to stand by him eventually withdrew after facing pressure.
According to Vivek, a few people told him that they had received threatening calls from underworld gangsters warning them against working with him. He recalled that these filmmakers were concerned about the safety of their families and did not want to take the risk.
These claims are part of Vivek's personal account of events. The alleged threats and industry pressure have not been independently established.
Alcohol, Anger and Self-Hate Took Over
Vivek also spoke about the emotional consequences of losing professional opportunities and feeling abandoned by people he had considered friends and colleagues. He said the situation gradually became worse, leaving him bitter, cynical and angry.
The actor described how the constant humiliation and criticism affected his state of mind. He recalled entering a dark phase marked by uncontrolled anger, heavy alcohol consumption and self-hate.
He explained that the experience was particularly difficult because he believed his lack of work was not related to his ability as an actor, but to circumstances beyond his control.
The actor's account highlights the emotional toll that professional rejection and public scrutiny can take. Rather than simply describing a career setback, Vivek spoke about how the experience affected his confidence, relationships and outlook on life.
The 2003 Salman Khan Controversy and Its Aftermath
Vivek's career difficulties are often discussed in connection with the controversy involving Salman Khan in 2003. At the time, Vivek held a press conference and accused Salman of making threatening phone calls to him. The incident attracted considerable media attention and became one of the most widely discussed Bollywood controversies of that period.
Vivek was then linked romantically with Aishwarya Rai, who had previously dated Salman. The controversy became a major talking point in the entertainment industry.
Over the years, Vivek has spoken about the professional difficulties he believes followed the incident. He has suggested that influential people in the industry turned against him, although he has not established a direct link between every lost project and any particular individual.
In his latest interview, he again described how people who had initially supported him allegedly stepped away when the situation became difficult.
Entrepreneurship Helped Him Regain Independence
Vivek has previously discussed how he gradually found a way to move forward by exploring opportunities outside acting. In an earlier conversation with SCREEN, he explained that business had always been his Plan B.
He said that he wanted cinema to remain his passion, while business could provide financial independence. According to Vivek, entering entrepreneurship helped him move away from what he described as the pressure of Bollywood lobbies and the need to seek approval from influential people.
His decision to diversify his professional life gave him another avenue to build his career and regain a sense of control.
Vivek Oberoi's Current Work in Ramayana
Despite the difficult experiences he has described, Vivek has continued to work in the entertainment industry. He is currently associated with filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari's ambitious adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana, produced by Namit Malhotra.
The actor plays Vidyutjihva, a character connected to the story of Ravana. His involvement in the project has brought him back into the spotlight as audiences look forward to the film.
Vivek's latest revelations offer a deeply personal account of the challenges he says he faced during a turbulent period in Bollywood. While his allegations about industry pressure remain his own account, his description of the emotional impact provides a glimpse into the struggles that can exist behind a public career.
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