Vivek - The Tsunami hero

By: Smitha Nambiar
Wednesday, March 29, 2006

Good looking, smart and hip! That's how one could describe this suave looking actor. Some call him handsome and sophisticated while others term him as a 'wannabe' attempting to match with the hip and happening. Whatever it is, the truth remains that he is one of the most adored actors among youngsters who copy everything about him - from his hairstyle to his mannerisms.

Vivek Oberoi, son of veteran actor Suresh Oberoi was born on September 3, 1976 and has an older brother, one younger brother and a younger sister. He attended Mayo College in Ajmer and was later discovered by the director of NYU during an actor's workshop in London. Oberoi completed his Masters Degree in New York. Returning to India, he got his first big break in Ram Gopal Varma's gangster flick Company (2002).

One must say that a lot was expected out of the flamboyant actor much before his first film released. He was the talk of the town by the time Company (2002) hit the screen. The media immediately stated that he was the 'next star to be watched out for'. Vivek made a very 'unconventional' debut in the film wherein he played the dreaded underworld don. The very fact that he did not choose a soft romantic story or an action packed heroic role in his debut film goes to prove that he wants to be known as more than just a good looking actor.

The actor won the 'best debut actor award' and also the 'best supporting actor' for the film. Then there was Saathiya (2003) opposite Rani Mukherjee followed with Road (2002). Though none of the films were a hit, nobody has ever questioned his perfomance as an actor so far.

His other films include Darna Mana Hai (2003), Masti (2004), Yuva (2004), Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na (2004) and Kisna (2005).

Whether it is his torrid affair with Beauty queen Aishwarya Rai, his so-called smooching scenes with the gorgeous in Kyun...! Ho Gaya Na and Antonio Bernath in Kisna or when he lodged a complaint against actor Salman Khan accusing him of threatening him of dire consequences for 'going steady' with Ash, Vivek has always managed to create a stir.

Vivek can be termed as more of a social worker than an actor. This might sound strange, but true. The actor and his entire family have dedicated their lives towards the uplifment of the downtrodden. While his father, Suresh Oberoi has been actively supporting primary education, mother Yashodhara works with terminally ill cancer patients and their families and has also established the Yashodhara Oberoi Foundation.

The actor was formally awarded the Special Director's General Award by WHO (World Health Organization) for his aggressive campaigning against the use of tobacco on the World No Tobacco Day May 31, 2004)

A strong disciple of Pujya Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji's of Parmarth Niketan, Vivek worked extensively to provide both emotional and financial support to all whose lives were devastated by the Tsunami that struck the country on December 26, 2004. In fact, Vivek even adopted the tsunami-devastated Devanampattinam village in Tamilnadu. Sadly, his critics and colleagues have brushed all these acts of kindness aside as publicity stunt.

Apparently, during one of the relief operations, a weary man approached Vivek and explained that he had come from Ootacamund with his brother and family for a holiday. But, as luck could have it, every member of his family had been washed away in the tsunami. He was still on the lookout for the body of his 3-year-old son and could not be convinced that the boy was dead. As everybody stood there, not knowing how to react, Vivek surprised everybody when he went up to the weeping man and hugged him.

These are the gestures that make Vivek Oberoi a truly wonderful human being and a hero in the truest sense.