Mumbai’s film scene buzzes with stories of actors who transform through collaborations with industry titans. Akshay Oberoi joins that elite group after teaming up with director Neeraj Pandey, writer Ritesh Shah, and powerhouse performer Manoj Bajpayee on a highly anticipated project. In an exclusive chat, Oberoi opened up about how this gig reshaped his craft.
‘Working with Neeraj Pandey stands out as one of the highlights of my career,’ Oberoi shared. ‘His command over thriller genres is unmatched. Every day on set felt like attending a masterclass—his precision in storytelling, grip on narrative threads, and vision for visuals kept me learning non-stop. This film pushed me to evolve as an actor and refine my skills.’
Oberoi praised Ritesh Shah’s directorial touch next. ‘Ritesh truly gets characters and emotions at their core. His scenes carry real weight and authenticity. Collaborating with him taught me to infuse sensitivity and impact into every moment. It was challenging yet incredibly rewarding.’
Sharing screen space with Manoj Bajpayee? Pure inspiration, says Oberoi. ‘Manoj isn’t just an actor; he’s an institution. His dedication, discipline, and passion motivate the entire crew. Teaming up with him was a golden chance to level up. I feel incredibly lucky.’ He urged fans: ‘Catch this film and soak in the acting brilliance.’
Meanwhile, Oberoi gears up for ‘Toxic,’ starring Yash alongside Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Huma Qureshi, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria. Directed by Geetu Mohandas, this bilingual Kannada-English spectacle will dub into Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and more. ‘Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups’ hits global theaters on March 19.