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Vivek Oberoi started his career as an actor, but over the past few years, he has also built a strong identity as an entrepreneur and investor. The actor often opened up about his investments across sectors such as real estate, ed-tech, jewellery, alcohol, and agri-tech. In a recent interview, Vivek, whose net worth is reportedly Rs 1,200 crore, opened up about his approach to money, building a family office and the financial lessons he is passing on to his children.
Vivek Oberoi learnt the value of money early
Vivek grew up in a financially secure family, but he said his father made sure that money was never treated casually. Speaking to Outlook Business, the actor recalled learning about debit, credit and maintaining accounts when he was around 11 or 12 years old. His father encouraged him to understand how money worked and taught him to appreciate its value from an early age.
According to Vivek, his family's approach to money was shaped by his grandfather's experience during Partition.
He said, "My grandfather lost everything during the Partition, so my father was taught never to take wealth for granted, and he passed on the same lessons to us. We travelled by train, took buses and managed pocket money carefully, even though we lived comfortably. But he also believed in experiences and splurged on those. So, there was always balance."
For Vivek, this approach eventually changed the way he looked at wealth. He said money should not simply be seen as a scorecard of what someone has already achieved. Instead, it should also be used as fuel for future growth, innovation and new opportunities.
Why Vivek set up a family office
Vivek's interest in business and investments eventually led to the creation of the Oberoi family office. He explained that he had been interested in philanthropy and impact work from an early stage, but later realised that non-profit structures alone could have limitations when it came to creating scale.
His idea was to support businesses that could combine profit with purpose. According to Vivek, businesses need to make profits to survive, but entrepreneurs should also think about the larger purpose behind what they are building.
The actor-investor said his family office was not created simply as a traditional asset-management platform. Instead, the focus was on supporting founders, backing meaningful businesses and contributing to India's economic growth in whatever way possible. He believes that providing capital, guidance or useful connections to a promising founder can help create value beyond the original investment.
Vivek further added, "When I set up the family office, the idea was to create generational wealth and create a structure to preserve it, along with investing ethos for generations to follow. Maybe in this generation I am able to make X impact; I am hoping that multiples in the generations to come. I have dinner table conversations with my son (13) and daughter (11) on which company we are investing in and why."
Vivek's decision to build businesses outside films was also connected to his desire for financial independence. The actor said that around 2009, he realised he did not want his entire economic future to depend on the film industry.
Earlier, while talking to SCREEN, he explained that he did not want to be in a position where a powerful group or lobby could control his professional future. Building businesses and investing in different sectors gave him another source of independence and allowed him to make decisions without being completely dependent on acting.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Vivek was last seen in Mastiii 4, which also starred Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani. The adult comedy, directed by Milap Zaveri, did not perform strongly at the box office after its release in November 2025.
He is now gearing up for Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film Spirit.
Vivek Oberoi learnt the value of money early
Vivek grew up in a financially secure family, but he said his father made sure that money was never treated casually. Speaking to Outlook Business, the actor recalled learning about debit, credit and maintaining accounts when he was around 11 or 12 years old. His father encouraged him to understand how money worked and taught him to appreciate its value from an early age.According to Vivek, his family's approach to money was shaped by his grandfather's experience during Partition.
He said, "My grandfather lost everything during the Partition, so my father was taught never to take wealth for granted, and he passed on the same lessons to us. We travelled by train, took buses and managed pocket money carefully, even though we lived comfortably. But he also believed in experiences and splurged on those. So, there was always balance."
For Vivek, this approach eventually changed the way he looked at wealth. He said money should not simply be seen as a scorecard of what someone has already achieved. Instead, it should also be used as fuel for future growth, innovation and new opportunities.
Why Vivek set up a family office
Vivek's interest in business and investments eventually led to the creation of the Oberoi family office. He explained that he had been interested in philanthropy and impact work from an early stage, but later realised that non-profit structures alone could have limitations when it came to creating scale.His idea was to support businesses that could combine profit with purpose. According to Vivek, businesses need to make profits to survive, but entrepreneurs should also think about the larger purpose behind what they are building.
The actor-investor said his family office was not created simply as a traditional asset-management platform. Instead, the focus was on supporting founders, backing meaningful businesses and contributing to India's economic growth in whatever way possible. He believes that providing capital, guidance or useful connections to a promising founder can help create value beyond the original investment.
Vivek further added, "When I set up the family office, the idea was to create generational wealth and create a structure to preserve it, along with investing ethos for generations to follow. Maybe in this generation I am able to make X impact; I am hoping that multiples in the generations to come. I have dinner table conversations with my son (13) and daughter (11) on which company we are investing in and why."
Vivek's decision to build businesses outside films was also connected to his desire for financial independence. The actor said that around 2009, he realised he did not want his entire economic future to depend on the film industry.
Earlier, while talking to SCREEN, he explained that he did not want to be in a position where a powerful group or lobby could control his professional future. Building businesses and investing in different sectors gave him another source of independence and allowed him to make decisions without being completely dependent on acting.
Meanwhile, on the work front, Vivek was last seen in Mastiii 4, which also starred Riteish Deshmukh and Aftab Shivdasani. The adult comedy, directed by Milap Zaveri, did not perform strongly at the box office after its release in November 2025.
He is now gearing up for Sandeep Reddy Vanga's upcoming film Spirit.
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Subscribe to The Economic Times Prime and read the ET ePaper online.