Posted:
The panga he took with Salman Khan over five years back is still proving costly for Vivek Oberoi.
Already lying low with very limited films in hand, Vivek is now finding it difficult to get a suitable hero along with him or the right A-list actress opposite him because all those being approached are excusing themselves out of the projects fearing they would get on the wrong side of Salman.
An industry source reveals, "The makers of upcoming comedy, Ram, Rahim Aur Romeo had confirmed Vivek for one the lead roles in this three hero-three heroine film of theirs. Talks with Fardeen Khan for the same project were also almost finalized and for the third and most important part, Vivek had suggested the makers Govinda's name. They then told Vivek to speak to Govinda himself about the film. Vivek stays in the same Juhu locality as Govinda and both are known acquaintances since a long time. Vivek was confident that Govinda would never say no to him."
"But when Vivek met Govinda, the actor - politician was in a fix how to handle the situation as committing himself for this project would mean directly angering Salman. Everyone knows how the beefy actor is responsible for Govinda's comeback in recent times. So Govinda diplomatically told him yes and agreed to meet the producers. Now when the producers went to meet the Hero No.1 star, he quoted them a fee of Rs. 7 crore. Shocked the producers left without signing him," the source continues.
"This way Govinda tactfully managed keep both Vivek and Salman happy. He knew well that no producer, however big, would pay him Rs. 7 crore. The makers then approached Javed Jaffrey who immediately gave his nod for the same part that Govinda was asked to play and at a throwaway price," adds the source.
"But the problems were far from over for the makers. Searching for a suitable A-list actress opposite Vivek, they are still not getting a YES from anyone. When Vidya Balan was approached she flatly refused to do the film on hearing she would be paired opposite Vivek. She gave the age old excuse of dates being the problem. The hunt is still on!" concludes the source.
Though Vivek has managed to salvage his flop run by acclaim and above average response to his last release, Shootout At Lokhandwala, he is still left wondering how long will his Salman Khan panga continue to haunt him.
Salman – Vivek tiff
In April 2003, Vivek Oberoi had held a press conference complaining about Salman harassing him over phone and giving him life threats for his then relationship with Aishwarya Rai. Salman had not reacted then to the negative publicity he got from this episode but it is learnt that he made sure that Vivek was almost ostracized by most industrywalas. Vivek has attempted brokering peace with Salman on many occasions since but the mercurial Khan continues to ignore him.
Already lying low with very limited films in hand, Vivek is now finding it difficult to get a suitable hero along with him or the right A-list actress opposite him because all those being approached are excusing themselves out of the projects fearing they would get on the wrong side of Salman.
An industry source reveals, "The makers of upcoming comedy, Ram, Rahim Aur Romeo had confirmed Vivek for one the lead roles in this three hero-three heroine film of theirs. Talks with Fardeen Khan for the same project were also almost finalized and for the third and most important part, Vivek had suggested the makers Govinda's name. They then told Vivek to speak to Govinda himself about the film. Vivek stays in the same Juhu locality as Govinda and both are known acquaintances since a long time. Vivek was confident that Govinda would never say no to him."
"But when Vivek met Govinda, the actor - politician was in a fix how to handle the situation as committing himself for this project would mean directly angering Salman. Everyone knows how the beefy actor is responsible for Govinda's comeback in recent times. So Govinda diplomatically told him yes and agreed to meet the producers. Now when the producers went to meet the Hero No.1 star, he quoted them a fee of Rs. 7 crore. Shocked the producers left without signing him," the source continues.
"This way Govinda tactfully managed keep both Vivek and Salman happy. He knew well that no producer, however big, would pay him Rs. 7 crore. The makers then approached Javed Jaffrey who immediately gave his nod for the same part that Govinda was asked to play and at a throwaway price," adds the source.
"But the problems were far from over for the makers. Searching for a suitable A-list actress opposite Vivek, they are still not getting a YES from anyone. When Vidya Balan was approached she flatly refused to do the film on hearing she would be paired opposite Vivek. She gave the age old excuse of dates being the problem. The hunt is still on!" concludes the source.
Though Vivek has managed to salvage his flop run by acclaim and above average response to his last release, Shootout At Lokhandwala, he is still left wondering how long will his Salman Khan panga continue to haunt him.
Salman – Vivek tiff
In April 2003, Vivek Oberoi had held a press conference complaining about Salman harassing him over phone and giving him life threats for his then relationship with Aishwarya Rai. Salman had not reacted then to the negative publicity he got from this episode but it is learnt that he made sure that Vivek was almost ostracized by most industrywalas. Vivek has attempted brokering peace with Salman on many occasions since but the mercurial Khan continues to ignore him.
Anupamaa
64