Startup Star Cast: Vivek Oberoi Scripts a ₹8,500 Cr Success Saga

Bollywood actor-turned-entrepreneur Vivek Oberoi has revealed that he made a whopping Rs 8,500 crore from his 12 ventures in one year. In an open interview, Oberoi described how he transitioned from being disillusioned with the film industry to becoming an entrepreneur on a full-time basis, fusing Silicon Valley-style innovation with old Marwari business savvy.

Capital Highlights

Oberoi has apparently raised more than $1 billion in funding across his business enterprises over the last year alone

Two of his companies are reported to be considering IPOs

His focus areas are real estate, consumer technology, and fintech

He emphasized that you had to blend global innovation with Indian financial thrift, colloquially calling it marrying Silicon Valley with a Marwari attitude

Roots of a Hustler

Vivek attributes his father, veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, with teaching him business acumen at a tender age

He also sold perfumes and electronics door-to-door during his childhood, maintaining a khata book and learning to manage profit margins.

Such early exposure to inventory, sales, and accountability paved the way for his entrepreneurial life

Bollywood to Boardrooms

Oberoi was displeased with the lack of meritocracy and collaboration in the industry

He had characterized the entertainment industry as an area where gatekeeping and lobbies stunted opportunity and creativity

Choosing to branch out, he focused on creating economic self-reliance and scalable businesses

Vision and Values

Oberoi stressed that capital per se is not the problem—deployment and sustainable expansion are

He feels that startups need to be disruptive but disciplined, aggressive since they are responsible

His business interests include a Rs 3,400 crore lending business and a debt-free Dubai luxury real estate portfolio

Public Persona, Private Grit

Though affluent, Oberoi affirms that he still travels economy when in startup mode

He believes in staying grounded and hands-on, especially when building from scratch His tale is being treated as a case study in reinvention—where strategy and celebrity meet

Sources:Indian Express, Times of India, Live Hindustan, CNBC TV-18, Business Today