When Vivek Oberoi made his debut in Ram Gopal Varma’s ‘Company’ in 2002, he was an absolute storm. The performance earned him immediate acclaim, and his next few releases, including ‘Saathiya’, ‘Yuva’, and ‘Shootout at Lokhandwala’, showcased his versatility.
It seemed he was set to be one of the decade’s defining actors. But the trajectory didn’t quite follow the expected arc. While his film career had moments of brilliance, it never quite matched the momentum of those early years.
And yet, Vivek Oberoi found another way to build his legacy, one that had little to do with red carpets or film sets.
A Move That Changed Everything
When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted life across the globe, Vivek relocated with his family to Dubai for what was initially a short stay. But something clicked. He and his family took a democratic vote and decided to make the city their permanent home. “I came here during COVID initially for a short-term move and loved the experience,” he said in a recent interview. With easy access to India and a thriving business ecosystem, Dubai became the launchpad for his next chapter.
Today, Vivek lives in Dubai and operates a luxury real estate business that manages assets worth nearly $7 billion and runs without debt.
Business Over Bollywood
Vivek Oberoi’s decision to prioritise business over acting wasn’t sudden. It was rooted in childhood. At 10, while most kids were tackling homework, he was knocking on doors with sales pitches. His father, veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, gave him products to sell and demanded business plans. It was an unfiltered introduction to money and responsibility. “I’m rich, you’re not,” Suresh had told him bluntly, making it clear that inheritance wasn’t part of the deal.
That mindset stuck. By 19, Vivek had raised $3 million for his first startup. He sold it by 23. Since then, he’s taken nine companies public, with four more on the way.
Ventures Across Sectors
From luxury real estate to lab-grown diamonds and education finance, Vivek’s investments span industries and countries.
Soliterio, his lab-grown diamond venture, earned nearly ₹100 crore last year.
He holds a 21% stake in a UK-based premium gin brand valued at £30 million.
Through a fee-financing startup, he’s helped fund education worth ₹3,400 crore, partnering with over 12,000 institutions and gathering data from 4.5 million students.
All these are ventures with strong revenue, scale, and most importantly, sustainability.
Self-Made, By Design
Vivek’s success is built on deliberate choices-like turning away from the predictable path of a star kid. While he didn’t distance himself from acting completely, he also didn’t depend on it. And though he acknowledges the visibility his surname gave him, he’s clear that reputation alone wasn’t enough. Performance, measured in returns, growth, and impact was non-negotiable.
Still Rooted In Cinema
Though acting is no longer his main focus, Vivek hasn’t abandoned films. He was last seen in ‘Kesari Veer’ in 2025 and previously played the lead in ‘PM Narendra Modi’ (2019). He continues to work selectively, opting for roles that align with his personal or creative interests. But for now, the boardroom, not the box office is his primary domain.
A New Kind Of Role Model
Vivek Oberoi’s journey is one of fame and fortune that doesn’t have to follow one script. His early films made him a household name, but it’s his business decisions that have cemented his place as a serious player outside the entertainment world. Today, with a net worth of around ₹1,200 crore, he’s not just a star who once was, he’s a businessman who very much is.
By rewriting his own story, Vivek Oberoi is quietly building a legacy, one that doesn’t rely on applause, but on action.