Vivek Oberoi reflects on turning down 'Munna Bhai MBBS', 'Hum Tum'

Apparently, he had to reject the projects because he could not adjust his dates

Actor Vivek Oberoi has confirmed that he was approached for lead roles in popular Bollywood blockbusters including Munna Bhai MBBS, Hum Tum and Om Shanti Om. However, he turned down all the projects because he could not adjust his dates, reported Hindustan Times.

According to a report, Vivek was offered Munna Bhai after gaining recognition for his role the Indian thriller Company (2002). He even attended workshops for the film, before backing out of the project a few days before its release. “I wanted to do Munna Bhai. I said yes to it, but destiny had it that it was supposed to be a Sanjay Dutt film. I couldn’t adjust my dates,” Vivek said.

PHOTO: FILE

The report added that even Farah Khan had offered him the villain’s role in her 2006 hit Om Shanti Om starring Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone. When things didn’t work out, Vivek was replaced by Arjun Rampal.

Vivek and superstar Salman Khan have always had beef on the personal front, courtesy their relationships with B-town beauty Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. But, it seems as though things have been no different workwise too. Vivek has often accused Salman of meddling with his projects and career after his infamous press conference in 2003. However, on her show Tere Mere Beech Mein, Farah reassured Vivek that the Bajrangi Bhaijaan star had no role to play in her decision to not hire him for Om Shanti Om.

PHOTO: VIVEK OBEROI/TWITTER

“In his defence, Salman never told me to not work with you. Not once. Whatever people did, maybe they did it on their own,” she said earlier. Talking about his decisions, Vivek shared, “For the 10-odd films I let go which succeeded, there were 70 or 80 films that I let go off which failed and bombed at the box office.”

Have something to add to the story? Share it in the comments below.