Vivek Oberoi: ‘My character is the mentor I didn’t have’

Vivek Oberoi

In 2017, Vivek Anand Oberoi was among the early birds in Indian OTT entertainment as he shot for Inside Edge, which has had three successful seasons since. Naturally, the actor was armed with experience when he stepped into Indian Police Force. We start by asking what brings him back to OTT. "When Jeff Bezos was here [for an Amazon Prime Video event in 2020], I remember he asked me how I took the leap of faith at that time. I was sure even then that OTT was here to stay," he smiles.

The Amazon Prime Video cop series, starring Sidharth Malhotra and Shilpa Shetty Kundra, sees filmmaker Rohit Shetty foray into digital entertainment with what he knows best - action. For Oberoi, Indian Police Force is an extension of his two-decade friendship with the director. "Rohit and I started our careers together. He was clear - when he can justify the love he has for me in a role, he will call. The character of Vikram Bakshi is special because he wrote this with me in mind. I love Rohit as a filmmaker, but more than that, he is one of the good guys. Every time I've supported a social cause for the cops, he has shown up. What's beautiful about my character is that he is the Rohit Shetty of his world. His team is his family, he is patriotic and will take a bullet for his people. There is maturity, nobility and duty in the character. He is the mentor I didn't have."

It's not easy to make your mark in an ensemble drama. Did he worry about not standing out in the Malhotra and Shilpa-starrer? "If that's where any actor starts, they are insecure. After 21 years of countless trolls and obituaries, I'm still here. I have more work than I can take on. This year, I am shooting Masti 4, a murder mystery with Nithya Menen, an action film with Tiger Shroff and another series. I cut out the noise and nonsense."

After the 2020 lockdown, the actor shifted base to Dubai and shuttles between Mumbai, London and the UAE. But his heart remains in Mumbai. Oberoi says, "I am in Mumbai for shoots all the time. But the more I stay away from the city, the more I realise this place will always be home. I sleep the best here. My frustration goes away when I hear the bells at ISKCON."