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.
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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.
In his own words, “Entrepreneurship is like storytelling — you must know your audience, believe in your plot, and never forget why you started.“
