Vivek Oberoi Reveals He Almost Lost ‘Company’ Role: Thought Ram Gopal Varma Would Fire Him on Day One
Vivek Oberoi Reveals He Almost Lost ‘Company’ Role: Thought Ram Gopal Varma Would Fire Him on Day One
Vivek Oberoi disclosed that Ram Gopal Verma had turned him down for the film Company. He opened up on many other aspects. Read on.
Bollywood actor Vivek Oberoi, in a candid interview, shared an intriguing behind-the-scenes story about his breakout role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company. The actor revealed that Varma initially rejected him for the role of Chandu, a performance that later earned him widespread acclaim and multiple awards.
Vivek also discussed his decision to avoid the conventional path often taken by other star children in the industry. He revealed that he chose to leave a film directed by his father, Suresh Oberoi, and faced a challenging 18-month period before ultimately securing a role in the film Company, for which he had initially been turned down.
“When my father wanted to launch me, I had a crisis of conscience, I didn’t want my father to invest the money to launch me, I wanted it to be more on merit. He was worried, but he respected me as a man that day. My father was making a film for me with Abbas Mastan and I walked away from that opportunity, struggled for 18 months after that, and faced a lot of rejection, but I am proud of that choice,” says the actor.
Recalling the early days, Oberoi said he had approached Varma with great enthusiasm but was met with resistance. I went to meet Mr. Varma, he saw my pictures and rejected me outright. He said I looked talented, but I was too polished and well-educated, so I didn’t fit the bill of this slumdog, Chandu. I just asked him to give me one meeting and he said why, I know you won’t fit the part,” varma had said.
The young actor, undeterred by the rejection, took it upon himself to prepare for the role. Oberoi shared how he transformed himself to align with the gritty, street-smart persona required for Chandu.
“ From his office I didn’t go home, I went straight to a nearby slum, took a room there, paid the rent, and moved into it. I lived there for 3 weeks and bought one of those dictaphones, and I would go around recording how the boys spoke there. I started to understand the nuances, etc,” adds the actor.
However, even after securing the role, Oberoi revealed he was plagued with doubts. But Oberoi’s fears were unfounded. His performance on the first day left Varma impressed, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Company went on to become a critically acclaimed film, with Oberoi’s portrayal of Chandu being hailed as one of the finest debuts in Indian cinema. The film not only solidified Ram Gopal Varma’s reputation as a master storyteller but also launched Oberoi’s career in Bollywood.
Reflecting on the experience, Oberoi expressed gratitude for the opportunity. “It was a turning point in my life. I’ll always be thankful to Ramu sir for believing in me, even if it took some convincing,” he said with a smile.
