When a young Suresh Oberoi refused imitating Amitabh Bachchan’s voice: ‘Main toh khud ki bhi dobaara copy nahi karta’; how to compete with oneself and evolve as an artiste
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"Nahi bhai, main kisiki copy nahi karta," Suresh Oberoi had once said
Recently, we chanced upon a snippet from an undated interview with actor Suresh Oberoi in which he refuted claims of copying Amitabh Bachchan‘s profound, unique baritone. “Nahi bhai, main kisiki copy nahi karta. Main toh Suresh Oberoi ki bhi dobaara copy nahi karta. (No, I don’t copy anyone. I don’t even copy myself. Ek film me jaise ki agar dobaara koi film mile bhi…that kind of role, attitude and dialogue delivery, I keep it different. (Even if I get a similar film, I don’t copy myself),” the Coolie actor said.
Let’s understand what it means to compete with oneself and evolve.
In a world filled with constant comparisons, the actual growth of an artiste lies not in looking around but in looking within. “Every creative person reaches a point where they must choose between staying safe in repetition or stepping into the unknown to evolve. The path of originality is never easy, but it is the only one that leads to real artistic fulfillment,” said Dr Chandni Tugnait, psychotherapist, coach, and founder of Gateway of Healing.
To truly stand out, an artiste must stop focusing on outdoing others and start focusing on growing from within.
According to her, growth begins when an artiste competes with their past self rather than trying to copy or impress others.
“As Suresh Oberoi once expressed, he doesn’t even repeat his past work; this mindset is powerful. It reminds us that we shouldn’t hold on to what once worked because it brought success. Instead, we should continue exploring, evolving, and expressing ourselves in new, honest, and meaningful ways,” said Dr Tugnait.
Some points to consider
Growth comes from exploration, not imitation: Repeating what worked before may feel safe, but it keeps the creative spirit stuck. Real growth comes from trying something new, even if it feels uncertain, said Dr Tugnait.
Reflection is more valuable than comparison: Constantly measuring oneself against others can drain confidence. But reflecting on one’s own journey helps build awareness and clarity.
Failure is part of the process: Not every experiment will succeed, and that’s okay. What matters is that the artiste keeps experimenting, learning, and moving.
Authenticity always wins in the long run: Audiences may be drawn to trends briefly but stay loyal to honesty. “When an artiste creates from a true place, it leaves a lasting impact,” said Dr Tugnait.
Art is not about being the loudest or the most popular. “It is about staying rooted, growing slowly, and never losing the courage to evolve.
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