Today, Actors Come With Entourages: Suresh Oberoi

In an exclusive rendezvous with DC Suresh Oberoi talks about changes in the working style then and now, his son Vivek Obero’s struggles in this industry, and how he came out with flying colours and also talks about today’s actors who come with a bandwagon of helpers/trainers adding extravagant expenses to the poor producers budget -with huge demand …Read to know more :

Veteran actor Suresh Oberoi who was seen working in Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s,” Animal” Kangana Ranaut’s ,”Manikarnika”. Now he will be seen adding remarkable gravitas and emotional depth to director Roopa Iyer’s upcoming patriotic historical film,” Azad Bharath,” stepping into the powerful role of freedom fighter Chhaju Ramji. Within this sweeping historical narrative, Suresh Oberoi’s Chhaju Ramji represents moral strength, wisdom, and the ideological backbone of the freedom movement. His character reflects the silent resilience of countless revolutionaries who shaped the course of India’s independence. The film is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on 2 January 2026, aligning with the birth anniversary month of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. 

Your role as freedom fighter Chhaju Ramji carries immense emotional depth. What made you accept this character? 

When Roopa, producer-director, called me, I immediately connected with the character. I told her clearly—don’t worry about the length of the role, dates, or money. Whatever she wished to give was fine. This role reminded me deeply of my father. He was a man of principles, a patriot, someone who believed in serving people beyond religion or personal gain. My father, who had a medical store and he had his business in Hyderabad. He donated land to temples, to poor people, and even for a mosque near Charminar. He was an Army personnel and a freedom Fighter. Thus, this role wasn’t about remuneration—it was about respect, memory, and values.

Your generation of actors is often described as emotionally driven rather than commercially driven. Would you agree?

Absolutely. I’ve done films purely out of friendship and emotion. When my friend Rakesh Kumar was in deep financial trouble, I worked on his film free of cost. We even carried food for the entire unit. We never bargained. Whatever the producer gave, we accepted with gratitude. For us, relationships mattered more than money.

How do you look back at your long career in films, you started your second stint with Kangana’s.” Manikarnika”. Then you did, “Animal” and now,” Azad Bharath?

I actually started with radio, then English and Hindi films. I stopped working when Vivek began his career to support him. After many years, when I returned to acting, everything had changed—studios, people, systems. The only thing I truly dislike today is night shoots. I value discipline and balance. I don’t want to live poor while being rich.

 What differences do you see between the film industry then and now while shooting?

Earlier, we had nothing—no vanity vans, sometimes not even chairs. We changed clothes in bushes or on the streets. Today, actors come with entourages—Make up man, hairdresser, bodyguards, trainers, assistants, multiple cars. And the trainer. What training can you do in 24 hrs? Do what you have been taught. Hairdressers, I feel only women artists should need. There are vanity vans now. We hardly had a chair. We used to get three chairs on one set. We have changed on the streets too. In the bushes. We didn't have any demand. I feel guilty wasting producers’ money. I find it an unnecessary expenditure. I only ask for a spot boy, tea or coffee, and a little warm water.

You recently worked in " Animal". How was your experience with today’s directors -Sandeep Reddy Vanga and Roopa Iyer in “Azad Bharath”?

I find directors like Vanga and Roopa extremely passionate. They notice every detail, even an extra eyebrow hair! When a director has that fire, actors automatically perform better. Passion behind the camera creates magic in front of it. He doesn't copy any word, anything. He and Roopa are as passionate as Vanga. As an actor we do well if the director is good.

As a father, how do you feel about Vivek Oberoi’s journey and success?

I am extremely proud of my son . He is a fighter. He went through tremendous opposition, jealousy, and hatred, but he never gave up. I didn’t push him. I simply gave him love, freedom, and support. That’s all a parent should do. Strength comes from love, not pressure. I'm so proud of my son Vivek as a father, he fought all the professional hiccups that he faced during the initial stage of his career. So many people tried to put him down in the industry. There was so much opposition. He confidently fought all the odds and today is successful professionally be it in filmy arena or other business.

Vivek’s philanthropic work is well known. How do you view that as a father?

That quality is inherited—from his grandfather and great-grandfather. Service has always been part of our family culture. As a father, I don’t need to say much. I am proud—deeply proud. Values, discipline, patriotism, compassion—these are not taught overnight. They come from family, upbringing, If we pass these honestly, your children's future and the country’s future is in safe hands.