Akshay Oberoi Opens Up On Working With Shah Rukh Khan And Manoj Bajpayee: It Feels Incredibly Surreal

Akshay Oberoi is looking at one of the busiest and most varied phases of his career, with projects that place him alongside Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Bajpayee in the same year. The actor, who has steadily built a reputation across films and streaming titles, says the scale and contrast of his upcoming work make this period feel unusually significant.

The centrepiece of his current slate is King, the much-discussed Shah Rukh Khan-led action film. Alongside it, Oberoi is also working on a thriller with Manoj Bajpayee, a project set in a darker crime-driven space. For an actor who has often moved between mainstream films, independent dramas and web series, the combination offers both visibility and range.

Akshay Oberoi on working with Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Bajpayee

Speaking about this phase, Akshay Oberoi said it felt almost unreal to share screen space with two performers known for very different acting traditions. “I genuinely feel like it's crazy to think that I am working with Shahrukh and Manoj, the same year. They both are so diversely different in their craft and they. are the true masters of it, of what they do. What excites me the most is the sheer diversity of the worlds I'm entering,” he said.

His comment points to the unusual contrast in his upcoming line-up. Shah Rukh Khan represents the large-scale Hindi film spectacle, especially after the blockbuster success of Pathaan and Jawan. Manoj Bajpayee, meanwhile, has long been associated with intense, character-driven performances across films and streaming shows. For Oberoi, moving between those two worlds is a clear career opportunity.

Oberoi also spoke about the tonal difference between the projects. “First theres King, which one larger than life story, a magnum opus action. Then there's the thriller film with Manoj Bajpayee sir, which is set in a gritty, crime-driven universe. Sharing screen space with someone of his calibre is both intimidating and inspiring,” he said.

Why King is a major step in Akshay Oberoi’s career

King has drawn attention because it marks one of Shah Rukh Khan’s most anticipated upcoming films after his major box-office comeback. The film is expected to operate on a large canvas, with action and drama at its centre. For Oberoi, the project gives him a place in a widely tracked commercial Hindi film at a time when star-led cinema is back in sharp focus.

While several details around King remain under wraps, the film’s interest value is already high because of Shah Rukh Khan’s presence. For actors joining such films, the challenge is not only visibility but also impact. Supporting characters in big-scale action dramas often need strong definition to stand out amid spectacle, stunts and star power.

Oberoi described his place in the film as personally meaningful. “At the same time, being a part of King, one of the most anticipated projects in the country right now, feels incredibly surreal,” he said. His words reflect the excitement many actors associate with entering a Shah Rukh Khan film, especially one positioned as a major theatrical event.

The actor has previously appeared in projects such as Gurgaon, Kaalakaandi, Madam Chief Minister, Gaslight, Fighter and the streaming series Inside Edge, Illegal and The Broken News. That mix has allowed him to play polished urban characters, morally complex men and darker roles. His current slate appears to build on that flexibility.

A thriller with Manoj Bajpayee and a South cinema debut

The Manoj Bajpayee project gives Oberoi a different kind of test. Crime thrillers depend heavily on mood, writing and performance. Bajpayee’s presence usually brings heightened attention to character work, especially after his acclaimed turns in films and shows such as Satya, Gangs of Wasseypur, Aligarh, Bhonsle and The Family Man.

For Oberoi, working in that environment means matching a performer known for restraint and precision. He acknowledged that the experience is both daunting and motivating. That balance is important, because crime dramas often reward actors who can communicate tension without leaning on obvious dramatic gestures.

Beyond his Hindi projects, Oberoi is also preparing for his South cinema debut. He called it a “huge moment” personally, adding that South cinema is currently telling some of the most exciting stories in India. His statement reflects a wider industry shift, where actors increasingly move across language industries instead of staying confined to one market.

“I feel fortunate that filmmakers are trusting me with such varied characters, and I'm approaching every single project with gratitude, hunger and the desire to constantly evolve,” Oberoi said. The line also sums up the strategy behind his current choices: taking on different genres rather than repeating one successful screen image.

For Indian actors today, career momentum is no longer built only through lead roles in theatrical films. Streaming series, ensemble dramas, crime thrillers, pan-India projects and star-led action films all contribute to audience recall. Oberoi’s slate fits that changing landscape, where versatility can be as valuable as conventional stardom.

This phase will be closely watched because it places Akshay Oberoi in three distinct spaces: a major Shah Rukh Khan film, a gritty thriller with Manoj Bajpayee and a first step into South cinema. If the roles land well, the year could become an important turning point in how the industry and audiences view him.