Akshay Oberoi Reflects on Career Breakthrough and Working Alongside Shah Rukh Khan in ‘King’
Actor Akshay Oberoi is currently riding a wave of professional momentum. With a career that has spanned diverse roles and intense hard work, the actor is now at the center of high-profile projects, most notably the upcoming action-thriller King, which stars Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan.
In a recent interview, Oberoi opened up about his experiences on set, his admiration for director Siddharth Anand, and how his career trajectory has finally aligned with his long-held aspirations for mainstream recognition.
A Firsthand Look at the ‘King’ of Bollywood
While Oberoi noted that he has not yet shared screen space with Shah Rukh Khan, he has had ample opportunity to observe the icon behind the scenes. According to Oberoi, Khan’s presence on set is a testament to his professionalism and, more importantly, his legendary warmth.
“Even when he is not shooting, [Shah Rukh Khan] comes on set,” Oberoi remarked. He described the superstar as “one of the kindest, gentlest people” in the industry, noting that Khan possesses a rare ability to put everyone around him at ease almost instantly.
For Oberoi, this isn’t merely a practiced public persona. “In five minutes, he’s talking to you like you’re his buddy. That comes naturally to him… it’s not like it’s a put-on. He can’t be faking it for all these years,” he added.
The Siddharth Anand Factor
Oberoi’s involvement in King marks another collaboration with director Siddharth Anand, for whom the actor holds immense respect. Oberoi was candid about his professional bond with the filmmaker, going so far as to say, “I’d jump off a cliff for that man.”
The actor credits Anand with being the catalyst for his recent mainstream success. After years of grinding in smaller projects, it was his performance in the Anand-directed Fighter that proved to be a turning point. That exposure caught the eye of director Geetu Mohandas, eventually leading to Oberoi’s casting in the highly anticipated Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups.
“He trusted me so much,” Oberoi said of Anand. “He gave me mainstream attention after years of grinding in small films. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to repay him for that in this lifetime.”
A Journey of Patience and Gratitude
Reflecting on his path in the industry, Oberoi expressed a sense of deep contentment. While some might view his rise to prominence as a “late” development, the actor prefers to view it as happening at exactly the right time. Following his roles in Fighter, The Broken News 2, and Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Oberoi is embracing this new chapter with gratitude.
The upcoming film King remains one of the most talked-about projects in Indian cinema, featuring a stellar ensemble cast including Suhana Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Arshad Warsi, and Rani Mukerji. As anticipation continues to build, fans are eager to see how this mainstream breakthrough plays out for one of Bollywood’s most hardworking talents.
