Actor Vivek Oberoi opens up about the unexpected journey that shaped his career as an entrepreneur, revealing how his father, actor Suresh Oberoi, instilled a sense of business acumen in him from a young age. At just 10, Oberoi was on his way to entrepreneurship, thanks to his father’s unique approach to summer vacations.

“My father was my biggest inspiration,” Oberoi told India Today Digital. “Every summer, he would tell us, ‘You have one month before you go on vacation.’ But in that one month, the way we were tortured…” the Saathiya actor shared.

Instead of engaging in the usual summer activities, Oberoi found himself immersed in the world of business. His father would give him inventory, including perfumes, telling him to keep track of costs, sell above cost, and keep the profits as pocket money.

“He taught us the basics of business in a practical way. I would knock on doors, meet people and explore different markets,” he recalled, describing how these experiences became the building blocks of his business knowledge. “My father never made us feel that we were rich. He would always say, ‘You are the son of a rich man, but you are not a rich man yourself.’ Success comes from hard work and work ethic,” Oberoi said.

By the age of 16, Oberoi had entered the world of stocks and shares, putting to use the work ethic instilled in him by his father.

“I even approached a stockbroker to practice for a few hours. I wanted to learn everything about stocks and commodities,” he said. His determination paid off; at the age of 19, he founded his first technology company – a venture that paved the way for his future success. “At that time, we didn’t even have the term ‘startup’,” he laughs. “I was lucky to sell it at a good price by the age of 22, which earned my investors and myself some money and boosted my confidence.”

With a strong foundation in entrepreneurship, Oberoi then pursued his passion for film, earning a master’s degree in the field from New York. Reflecting on his transition from business to Bollywood, he said, “That was a turning point for me.”

Despite being a successful entrepreneur, Vivek Oberoi chose to become an actor. When asked why, he clearly replied: “Acting is my passion.”

Vivek Oberoi is currently focusing on his business and will return to the film sets next year with his popular Masti franchise.