'Most people are interested in making money': 'Mohan Bhagwat fan' Suresh Oberoi recalls 2004 BJP stint; says Modi, Shah, Yogi are 'fine' but...

Suresh Oberoi has opened up about his brief association with the BJP, 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, the actor recalled being introduced to the BJP in 2004 and meeting senior leaders including L K Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Suresh Oberoi also explained why he eventually stepped away from active politics and discussed his views on Narendra Modi, Amit Shah, Yogi Adityanath, protests and social activism.

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Suresh Oberoi recalls joining BJP in 2004

Suresh Oberoi said his interest in politics began after a college friend from Hyderabad encouraged him to 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 his friend then introduced him to senior BJP leaders, including L K Advani and Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

However, Oberoi's political plans changed after he spoke to 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,’” the actor said.

Why Suresh Oberoi left active politics

Suresh Oberoi said he initially continued his association with politics but eventually realised that he did not feel comfortable in the 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.

The actor added that his understanding of politics had been very different when he first entered the space.

“I thought politics meant doing something for your country. Later, I realised that most people were simply interested in making money,” Oberoi said, while clarifying that he was not referring to everyone.

Suresh Oberoi praises Modi, Amit Shah and Yogi Adityanath

Although Suresh Oberoi spoke critically about some aspects of politics, he said he remains comfortable with several senior BJP leaders.

“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.

His comments came while discussing why his association with active politics did not develop into a longer political career.

‘I’m a fan of RSS, Mohan Bhagwat’

Suresh Oberoi also spoke about his admiration for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its chief, Mohan Bhagwat.

“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 for breakfast. Oberoi said his wife prepared halwa for the RSS chief, who enjoyed it.

“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,” Oberoi recalled.

He said he remains in contact with Bhagwat and had spoken to him just days before the interview.

However, Oberoi stressed that his admiration for the organisation does not mean he is formally an RSS member.

“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 celebrity activism and protests

During the conversation, Suresh Oberoi was asked about the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) protests and reactions from members of the film industry, including Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi.

The actor said celebrities and other public figures should be cautious before taking strong positions on controversial issues.

“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.

Oberoi specifically referred to the NEET controversy while questioning whether everyone participating in 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 asked.

‘If I don’t know something, I won’t speak about it’

Suresh Oberoi said he would rather admit that he did not have enough information than comment on an issue without researching 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.

The actor argued that public figures have an added responsibility because their statements can influence how other people view an issue.

Suresh Oberoi speaks about Sonam Wangchuk and activism

The discussion also turned to social activism and Sonam Wangchuk, whom Vasandani described as a social activist.

Oberoi questioned whether repeated protests and movements necessarily produced meaningful results.

“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.

When asked whether he would personally join a protest or movement, Oberoi gave a clear response.

“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

Suresh Oberoi said he believes his contribution should come through his profession rather than 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.

He also pointed to established institutions as avenues for addressing contentious issues.

“We have the Supreme Court. There are people sitting there. Ministers are there. You have to put in some effort and find a solution,” Oberoi said.

The actor also criticised violence during protests, particularly incidents involving attacks on police personnel. He questioned whether people involved in violent incidents could always be assumed to be genuine students or protesters.

‘You should never give a strong opinion until you know the complete story’

Suresh Oberoi ended the discussion by returning to his central argument, people should research an issue and understand its wider context before publicly taking a strong position.

“You should never give a strong opinion until you know the complete story,” he said.

He added that even something witnessed directly can sometimes be misunderstood without knowing the circumstances surrounding it.

The actor illustrated his 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 broader message was straightforward: verify information, understand the context and only then form an opinion.

“I won’t listen until I have researched it and seen it myself,” he said.


Inputs from TOI