How a Bollywood actor turned entrepreneur built a business empire from lessons in grit and independence
Imagine being told as a child, “I am rich, but you are not." For many, it would feel harsh, even discouraging. For Vivek Oberoi, it was the spark that ignited a lifelong drive for independence, ambition, and resilience.
The Bollywood actor, now celebrating his 49th birthday on September 3, has quietly built a business empire alongside his cinematic career—reportedly amassing a ₹1,200-crore fortune. His journey from celluloid to boardrooms is a testament to vision, discipline, and the kind of parental wisdom that transcends mere wealth.
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Vivek’s early life was deeply rooted in Mumbai’s film and cultural circles, but his father ensured he recognised the importance of effort. He was not handed everything; instead, Suresh Oberoi taught him the ins and outs of business firsthand.
Young Vivek would go door-to-door selling products and preparing comprehensive business plans to support each sale. This sense of responsibility, discipline, and accountability was unusual for a pre-teen and laid the groundwork for his entrepreneurial journey.
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By his mid-teens, Vivek’s entrepreneurial instincts were in full bloom. He began shadowing stockbrokers, building an investment portfolio by the age of 16, and testing the waters of commodity trading.
His first venture, at 19, raised £3 million, which he successfully returned to investors with profits, and by 23, he had sold the startup. These early successes gave him the confidence to juggle multiple high-pressure roles — an actor in the public eye and a businessman behind the scenes.
Balancing reels with returns
Vivek’s acting career took off in 2002 with Ram Gopal Varma’s Company, earning critical acclaim and establishing him as a promising talent in Bollywood. Films like Saathiya (2002) and Yuva (2004) cemented his reputation as a versatile actor.
Yet, even amid long shoots and media scrutiny, Vivek dedicated time to business ventures, ensuring that his passion for cinema complemented, rather than overshadowed, his entrepreneurial ambitions.
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Vivek’s approach to wealth is based on prudence. He recommends saving at least three times one’s annual income, creating an emergency fund covering three to five years, and avoiding impulsive, high-risk investments.
Early exposure to the stock market and real estate refined his financial expertise. For him, stability, peace of mind, and careful growth are more important than the temptation of quick riches—a principle that has guided his investments in edutech, fintech, agritech, and luxury real estate.
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Today, Vivek Oberoi serves as Chairman of the Oberoi Family Office and Co-Founder of BNW Developments, a luxury real estate firm in the UAE with assets under development valued at $7 billion. He has also co-founded Solitario, a lab-grown diamond brand, and invested in ventures including Impresario Global, Rutland Square Spirits, and ReadyAssist.
Vivek has taken nine companies public and plans four more, combining entrepreneurship with philanthropy, and earning recognition on Forbes’ 40 Under 40 Heroes of Philanthropy list.
The journey from a child learning the value of hard work to a ₹1,200-crore business empire showcases Vivek’s resilience, foresight, and dedication. His story emphasises that true wealth isn’t always inherited—it is built with vision, persistence, and courage.
The lessons from his father didn’t merely shape a career; they instilled a mindset that enabled him to navigate the worlds of Bollywood and global business with equal confidence.
