Veteran actor Suresh Oberoi recently opened up about his brief association with politics, his admiration for RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat and his views on protests and activism. In a recent conversation with Nidhi Vasandani on her YouTube channel, Oberoi recalled how he was introduced to the BJP in 2004 and spoke about meeting senior political figures, including L K Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.He also explained why he eventually lost interest in active politics and spoke about his continuing admiration for Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath.
Suresh Oberoi recalls joining BJP in 2004
Speaking about his decision to explore politics, Oberoi said it was a college friend from Hyderabad who first suggested that he join the BJP.“I had a friend from my college in Hyderabad. One day, he came home and said, ‘This is the BJP. You should join it.’ This was in 2004,” Oberoi recalled.He said he accompanied his friend and was introduced to senior BJP leaders, including L K Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.However, his political journey took a different turn after he met his guru, who strongly advised him against entering politics.“He gave me such a strong scolding. I had never seen him scold anyone like that in my life. He told me, ‘Be careful. Don’t ever go into politics and don’t even maintain contact with these people,’” Oberoi said.Despite initially continuing his association, Oberoi said he eventually felt uncomfortable with the political environment.“I didn’t feel happy from within. My heart wasn’t in it. The vibrations didn’t feel right to me, and I didn’t feel good energy,” he said.
‘I thought politics meant doing something for your country’
Oberoi made it clear that his discomfort was not directed at every senior political leader. Referring specifically to Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath, he said he was comfortable with some of the top leadership but did not connect with several people around them.“I’m fine with Modi ji, Amit Shah, Yogi ji and a few others, but with many of the people around them, I felt something was strange. It didn’t feel genuine to me,” he said.Explaining why politics eventually failed to hold his interest, Oberoi said his initial understanding of politics was very different from what he later observed.“I thought politics meant doing something for your country. Later, I realised that most people were simply interested in making money,” he said, while clarifying that he was not referring to everyone.
‘I’m a fan of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat’
Oberoi also spoke at length about Mohan Bhagwat, making it clear that while he admires the RSS chief, he is not formally associated with the organisation.“I have always been a fan of the RSS from within. I’m a fan of Mohan Bhagwat ji,” he said.The actor recalled inviting Bhagwat to his home and said the RSS chief eventually visited him for breakfast. Oberoi also shared an anecdote about his wife preparing halwa for Bhagwat.“He came home for breakfast. We were very happy. My wife makes very good halwa. We served it to him, and he really liked it,” he said.Oberoi said he remains in touch with Bhagwat and had spoken to him just a few days before the interview.However, he clarified that he has not formally joined the RSS. “I haven’t formally joined. I don’t attend the morning gatherings or participate in the parades carrying a stick,” he said.
Suresh Oberoi questions narratives around protests
During the interview, Nidhi Vasandani asked Oberoi about the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests and the reactions from members of the film fraternity, including Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi.Oberoi said public figures should exercise caution before taking a strong position on an issue and should first establish the facts.“We are responsible people. The world listens to us and watches us. We have to think before speaking. We should research what is behind something, what the motive is and whose hand is involved,” he said.Referring to the NEET controversy, Oberoi questioned whether everyone participating in the protests was genuinely connected to the issue.“Are all of them NEET students? Are there politicians involved? Are there people throwing stones or creating chaos? We don’t know. Until you know the facts, how can you be so vocal about something?” he said.Oberoi added that he would rather admit that he does not know about an issue than comment without having researched it.“If I don’t know something, I won’t speak about it. I’ll simply say, ‘I don’t know about it,’” he said.
Oberoi mentions Sonam Wangchuk while discussing activism
The actor was also asked about social activism and Sonam Wangchuk, whom Vasandani described as a social activist.Oberoi said he had seen similar movements and protests unfold before and questioned what they ultimately achieved.“I have seen all these people doing such things several times. Then everyone sits down peacefully. So what is all this? It is pointless,” he said.Asked whether he would personally participate in a protest or movement, Oberoi was unequivocal.“If someone came to me and said, ‘Suresh ji, come, let’s start a movement or protest,’ I would never go. Never,” he said.
‘My work is acting’: Suresh Oberoi on activism
Oberoi said he believes his contribution should come through his profession rather than street protests or activism.“My work is acting. I will act. If someone says, ‘Suresh, let’s make a film, a video or a serial,’ yes, I can do that. But why should I become an activist?” he said.The actor also stressed that there are established institutions through which issues can be addressed.“We have the Supreme Court. There are people sitting there. Ministers are there. You have to put in some effort and find a solution,” he said.Oberoi strongly disapproved of violence during protests, particularly attacks on police personnel. He also referred to visuals of masked individuals attacking the police, saying such incidents made him question whether everyone involved was genuinely a student or protester.
‘You should never give a strong opinion until you know the complete story’
Oberoi concluded by reiterating his belief that people should not form opinions based on hearsay or isolated information.“You should never give a strong opinion until you know the complete story,” he said.The actor said that even things people see with their own eyes can sometimes be misunderstood without the complete context. He illustrated the point with a humorous example from films and television: “You see a man hugging a woman and later discover that she was actually his sister.”For Oberoi, the larger lesson was simple: research, verify and understand the context before speaking publicly. “I won’t listen until I have researched it and seen it myself,” he said.
