Vivek Oberoi has previously discussed turning down several high-profile films that could have altered the course of his career. Among these were Hum Tum, Munna Bhai MBBS, and Om Shanti Om. In a recent interview with MensXP, the actor shed light on why he chose to star in the gangster drama Shootout At Lokhandwala instead of the Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Om Shanti Om.
Timing and Preparation Played a Key Role
Oberoi explained that his decision to pick Shootout At Lokhandwala over Om Shanti Om was primarily due to timing and his extensive preparation for the role. “It was an either or because the dates were also clashing and both were negative roles, and I liked my role (in Shootout at Lokhandwala),” he said.
He went on to elaborate on the preparation he had already undertaken for the character in Shootout At Lokhandwala. “By the time Farah approached me for the role, I had already started doing my whole research for the character. I had met cops, read his crime files, started visualising the character. I had already done 4-5 months’ prep for that role,” said Vivek.
This in-depth preparation made it difficult for him to switch to a different character in a short span of time. “Then, at that point, suddenly switching gears and going in a suave suit would have been difficult. But I am glad Arjun (Rampal) did it and he did a great job,” Vivek added.
Would Have Chosen Om Shanti Om in a Different Scenario
Despite his preference for Shootout At Lokhandwala, Vivek Oberoi clarified that if the timings of both films had allowed, he would have gladly taken up the role in Om Shanti Om. “If it was a different situation, I would have definitely said yes. Why not? If I had time to do both, I would have wanted to do Om Shanti Om,” he said.
Oberoi also praised the final product of Om Shanti Om, calling it a superb film. “Farah made a superb film. It’s always amazing to work with Shah bhai,” he added, referring to director Farah Khan and actor Shah Rukh Khan. Vivek also recalled the fun he had working with SRK during the making of Saathiya, where the Bollywood icon made a guest appearance. “In my entire career, I have had the fun and opportunity of just doing a few nights of shooting together (with SRK) on Saathiya, where he was so kind to play a guest appearance in the film,” he shared.
Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007) is a gritty gangster drama that saw Vivek Oberoi portraying the role of a criminal in a high-stakes action-packed story. The film, directed by Apoorva Lakhia, also starred Sanjay Dutt and Sunil Shetty.
Also Read: Vivek Oberoi reveals he refused to debut with a film backed by dad Suresh Oberoi, recalls struggling for 18 months: “I had crisis of conscience”
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