Akshay Oberoi invites cousin Vivek for his debut film

Setting aside all talk of a cold war with cousin, Vivek Oberoi, newcomer Akshay Oberoi who makes his debut this week in the Rajshris' Isi Life Mein has invited Vivek to watch his film. Vivek has promised his cousin he will make time very shortly.

Says the newcomer, "There is absolutely no stress with Vivek. I don't know where these rumours came from. I don't know why people are making it seem as if we're at loggerheads." The truth is, Akshay Oberoi tried to downplay his family connection with Vivek because he didn't want to seem like a clingy cousin desirous of cashing in on his more-famous family member's name.

Says Akshay, "Vivek and I didn't grow up together. Since I was studying acting and theatre in the US for several years and we weren't connected constantly. So if we aren't bumchums, we aren't at war either. Why should we be? We are like any other family. I'm a huge fan of Vivek and will always wish him well. I hope he sees my film soon."

Having said that, the pragmatic newcomer knows it is each on his own in the entertainment industry. "Vivek and I come from different families. We lead separate lives. He has his own career. And I will have my own now. We will always be there for one another. But we are not going to be posing for together photographs all the time to prove to the world that we belong to one family."

Akshay's namesake, the Kumar, also has a release, a much larger one this week. But the newbie is unperturbed. Says the latest Oberoi on the block, "Isi Life Mein and Tees Maar Khan are two different films. We are a much smaller film. We're hoping we'd also get some support. After all it is the holiday season."