Gayatri Oberoi continues to be remembered for her only Bollywood film, Swades. The actor played Gita opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Ashutosh Gowariker’s 2004 directorial, a role that earned her recognition despite marking the beginning and end of her Hindi film career.Rather than pursue a long-term career in Bollywood, Gayatri eventually stepped away from the film industry. She later married real estate entrepreneur Vikas Oberoi in 2005, and the couple went on to have two sons, Vihaan and Yuvaan.Vikas Oberoi is among the wealthy individuals featured in the Hurun India Rich List 2026. According to the latest list, his reported net worth is Rs 48,100 crore, placing him at No. 59 among India’s richest individuals.
Vikas Oberoi’s Rs 48,100 crore fortune
Vikas Oberoi also featured in the previous edition of the Hurun India Rich List, where his wealth was estimated at Rs 42,960 crore and he was ranked 58th.The latest edition estimates his wealth at Rs 48,100 crore, although his ranking has moved to 59th. His fortune has been built primarily through his real estate business, which has established him as one of India’s prominent property entrepreneurs.His marriage to Gayatri Oberoi has also kept him connected to Bollywood circles. Gayatri, however, largely chose to stay away from the entertainment industry after her debut in ‘Swades.’
Inside Gayatri and Vikas Oberoi’s sprawling Juhu residence
Gayatri Oberoi and Vikas Oberoi live in a sprawling nine-storey bungalow in Mumbai’s Juhu neighbourhood. The property reportedly spans approximately 75,000 sq ft.Designed by Italian architect and designer Piero Lissoni, the residence has been planned around different functions, including entertainment, fitness, parking and private family spaces.The two basement levels are used for parking and fitness, while another floor houses a gym, spa and a 12-seater cinema. The ground floor through the third floor are primarily designed for entertaining guests, while the family’s private living spaces begin from the fourth floor.Gayatri previously spoke about the home in an interview with Architectural Digest India, explaining how Vikas viewed its functionality.“Vikas always said the house should run like a boutique hotel—and initially, I hated that comparison. It’s a home, not a hotel! But in function, it truly does run that efficiently,” she told the publication.
From Channel V to Swades
Gayatri Oberoi entered the entertainment industry in the late 1990s, beginning her career as a VJ with Channel V.Her major Bollywood break came in 2004 when she was cast opposite Shah Rukh Khan in Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades. She played Gita, a schoolteacher and the romantic interest of Khan’s character Mohan Bhargava.The film went on to become one of the notable releases of its year, while Gayatri received several debut awards for her performance. Despite the recognition, she did not go on to build a lengthy acting career.Gayatri married Vikas Oberoi in 2005. The two had known each other before their relationship eventually culminated in marriage.
Why did Gayatri Oberoi leave Bollywood?
Gayatri later opened up about her decision to step away from films during a 2019 conversation with Bollywood Hungama. She explained that she had become increasingly selective about the roles she wanted to take after the success of Swades. Her priorities also changed after she met Vikas.“I met my husband, Vikas Oberoi, and I was very satisfied with where my career had taken me. And when I met Vikas, I realised that this was something that I wanted more than doing movies and being in Bollywood,” she said.Gayatri explained that she could have continued working after marriage, but consciously chose to prioritise her marriage and family.“I could have continued to work yet be married. But I consciously made that decision because if I am committing to something, I want to give my hundred percent to it. And I always wanted to commit my hundred percent to my marriage, to my family and to my children,” she added.Looking back at her brief Bollywood career, Gayatri described herself as “lucky” to have received what she called a “great opportunity” through Swades. She also spoke about another dream she wanted to pursue: having a wonderful family.“I met my husband who’s like my soul mate in every way. I guess life sometimes has other plans and better plans,” she said.Gayatri and Vikas Oberoi are now parents to two sons, Vihaan and Yuvaan. While her Bollywood career ended after just one film, her portrayal of Gita in ‘Swades’ continues to remain memorable for audiences.DISCLAIMER: Figures presented in this article are derived from various public sources and are considered approximate unless explicitly noted. We may include direct input from celebrities or their teams when available. We are open to feedback on toientertainment@timesinternet.in.
