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Actor Akshay Oberoi, best known for his roles in Fighter, Love Hostel, Fitoor and Piku, belongs to a family with a strong Bollywood lineage. He is the nephew of veteran actor Suresh Oberoi and cousin of Vivek Oberoi. Yet, unlike many star kids, Akshay has built his career without leaning on these ties.

In a recent interview, the actor spoke candidly about his relationship with Vivek Oberoi, revealing why he never used his cousin’s name to get work in the industry, and whether Vivek’s downfall in Bollywood ever affected his own journey.

Here’s everything about it!

Akshay Oberoi on why he never used Vivek Oberoi’s name in Bollywood

Credits: Instagram/akshay0oberoi, Instagram/vivekoberoi

In a recent interview with The Free Press Journal, Akshay spoke about his relationship with Vivek, revealing that despite their family ties, there was no real bond between them.

Akshay said that not even casting directors knew about their connection, and he never used it to his advantage.

Talking about the same, he said, “I don’t think so. Again, you never know what’s actually happening in those Bollywood rooms when people are discussing casting. But it has never happened to me that someone has said something like that. I think I’m saying this with a certain level of confidence because nobody knew we were related. Not even the casting people. Nobody knew.”

“And I never used that to my benefit. I never said it because what would I get? It’s not like I could call and approach him either, you know. Unfortunately, I don’t say it with pride, I say it with sadness - that there was no real relationship. So, what would I call and ask from him? I just went about my own way,” he said.

Akshay further explained that the lack of a close bond with his family left him with no choice but to stand on his own.

He said, “I was very sure that no one was going to help me. I didn’t have a mentor, godfather, or guidance in this line. Now that I’m starting to reach somewhere, people are connecting the dots. Journalists ask me, directors I’ve worked with in the past say, ‘You never told me.’ And I’m like - what could I have told you?”

“To share something, something has to exist, right? Our families never got along, and here I was. Maybe we were just unlucky as a family in that way. Him and his father are both very good actors, and I’m honored to be from that lineage. But it would have been fun if we could have done it together,” said Akshay.

Akshay Oberoi on building a career independently

Credits: Instagram/akshay0oberoi

When asked why he never leveraged his family ties to get ahead in Bollywood, Akshay credited his upbringing and the friendships that shaped him.

He said, “Not once did it cross my mind that I should do that. I think it’s just the kind of people I grew up around and the kind of person I am. People also know that Imran Khan is one of my closest buddies. We met in 2001 at Kishore Namit Kapoor Acting Institute and became best friends within minutes.”

“I had no idea for months that he was Aamir Khan’s nephew, and when I found out, I told him I had something like that too. Of course, he was much closer to Aamir and eventually launched by him, but that’s just how I grew up. I surrounded myself with people who never tom-tommed about where they came from. So, I never thought about it twice either,” he said.

Without family support, his journey was tougher, but he built his career through talent and perseverance, as he said, “Now, people know. Now I don’t think I could lose work for any other reason, because I’m on my own. Destiny is a funny thing. It would have been nice if things were different, but I’m proud of the way I’ve come up.”

Akshay is awaiting the release of his upcoming film Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari. The film also stars Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor in lead roles.

Social and lead image credits: Instagram/akshay0oberoi, Instagram/vivekoberoi

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