When most people think of Vivek Oberoi, they recall his impactful Bollywood performances from the early 2000s. But behind the fame and film sets, Oberoi was quietly nurturing a vision that would take him far beyond the silver screen.
Today, he stands as one of the few Indian celebrities who have successfully transitioned into the world of business — and built an empire worth over ₹1,200 crore.
Entrepreneurship wasn’t a sudden shift for Oberoi. In fact, his business instincts took root early. Growing up in a household where his father, veteran actor Suresh Oberoi, balanced both film and business interests, Vivek was exposed to the grind behind the glamour. He recalls selling products door-to-door as a child, managing stock, and taking customer feedback seriously lessons that shaped his understanding of value creation long before his acting debut.
Building BNW Developments
Oberoi’s most ambitious venture to date is BNW Developments, a luxury real estate company he co-founded with Ankur Aggarwal.
Today, BNW is the largest private developer in Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, and boasts $7 billion in assets under development across 23 ultra-luxury projects.
What makes BNW stand out is its zero-debt structure, and its focus on ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices, and institutional clients. Oberoi isn’t just endorsing luxury — he’s building it.
While filming Blood Diamond, Oberoi became acutely aware of the ethical concerns surrounding natural diamonds. That awareness eventually turned into action. He co-founded Solitario, a lab-grown diamond brand aimed at making fine Indian jewellery more sustainable.
Today, Solitario has a presence in 8 countries, 25 cities, and over 100 points of sale. The brand is set to close FY25 with ₹95–100 crore in revenue, nearly doubling from the previous year — a testament to both market demand and the brand’s positioning.
Oberoi also sees promise in premium spirits. He recently acquired a 21% stake in Rutland Square Spirits Ltd, a UK-based gin brand valued at just under £30 million. For Oberoi, this is more than a business decision — it’s an entry into the lifestyle segment, one he believes holds global potential.
A Growing Portfolio
Vivek Oberoi’s business footprint doesn’t stop there. His diversified portfolio includes:
- Agribid – an agri-tech platform transforming rural supply chains
- iScholar – an edtech initiative focused on accessible learning
- ReadyAssist – a vehicle care and roadside assistance brand
- Impresario Global – a brand accelerator for emerging startups
Vivek Oberoi once shared that he started a business that helps students pay their education fees without needing to give any collateral. He said this startup grew quickly and reached around 12,000 schools, colleges, and universities through a B2B model. Later, they started connecting directly with students and parents, building a database of 45 lakh users. Because of this large user base and valuable data, the company was valued at nearly ₹3,400 crore (around $400 million).
Each of these ventures is tied to a clear mission: innovation that serves real-world needs.
Despite his expanding business interests, Oberoi hasn’t turned his back on the industry that gave him his first stage. He is set to return with Masti 4 and several new film projects, striking a rare balance between art and enterprise.
From cinema halls to boardrooms, he has built a brand around vision, ethics, and smart risk-taking. In a landscape where celebrity ventures often fizzle out, Oberoi’s success story stands out not for its flash, but for its foundation.
