Vivek Oberoi highlights potential of drone technology at WEF 2025
Oberoi expressed his passion for how drones can revolutionise industries such as logistics, agriculture, and disaster relief, improving efficiency and fostering greater connectivity worldwide.
Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
AT THE World Economic Forum (WEF) 2025, Bollywood actor and entrepreneur Vivek Oberoi took the stage to discuss the transformative potential of drone technology.
Known for his memorable roles in films such as Saathiya, Company, and Shootout at Lokhandwala, Oberoi has expanded his focus far beyond the silver screen, venturing into entrepreneurship and innovation.
Oberoi talked about his passion for how drones can revolutionise industries such as logistics, agriculture, and disaster relief, enhancing efficiency and connectivity worldwide.
The global drone industry is booming, with its market value expected to hit $43 billion by 2024. Companies like DJI, Intel, and Amazon are driving this growth with constant innovation—extending flight times, refining navigation, and integrating advanced data analytics. However, as Oberoi pointed out, challenges like regulatory hurdles and public hesitation remain. He emphasised the need for clearer regulations and education campaigns to build trust and encourage responsible use of drones.
Oberoi didn’t hold back when sharing the potential of drones in real-life scenarios. He highlighted seven key areas where this technology could make a difference. For logistics, drones could completely change last-mile delivery by ensuring faster and more efficient transportation of goods. In infrastructure, they can inspect bridges, power lines, and construction sites more safely and quickly than traditional methods. In agriculture, drones could monitor crops, manage irrigation, and enable precision farming, leading to better yields and healthier harvests.
To drive his point home, Oberoi shared a powerful example: Zipline, a drone delivery service that transports life-saving medical supplies to remote areas. "This isn’t just about innovation," he said, "it’s about saving lives and creating real impact." He explained how drones are drawing massive investments because of their ability to cut costs while improving service delivery. Looking to the future, Oberoi highlighted how advancements in battery technology and navigation systems are making drones smarter and more efficient. He emphasised the importance of continuous learning and adaptation for drones to navigate complex environments.
Vivek Oberoi's insightful exchange with Maharashtra CM Shri Devendra Fadnavis at WEF 2025Instagram/vivekoberoi
He wrapped up his speech with an inspiring call to action. "It’s time for businesses to embrace innovation," he urged. "Explore how drones can fit into your operations, stay informed about new regulations, and think responsibly about growth. Together, we can unlock the full potential of this technology and reach new heights."
The actress defended her claim that acting demands more than desk jobs in a recent interview.
She said office workers can "chill out" during work hours, unlike film stars.
Fans and working professionals called her comments privileged and out of touch.
The backlash started after her appearance on Amazon Prime's Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle.
Critics pointed out the financial gap and support systems actors have compared to regular employees.
Kajol probably didn't expect this reaction when she sat down with Twinkle Khanna on Two Much. But her comments about actors working harder than people with 9-to-5 jobs have blown up, and not in a good way.
Fans slam Kajol after she says actors work harder than regular employees sparking online outrage Getty Images
The comments that started it all
Kajol was speaking out about her earlier comments on Two Much with Kajol & Twinkle on Amazon Prime, where she said actors work harder than most people. This time she was explaining why she thinks that.
She told The Hollywood Reporter India that her days are full of shoots, events, and very early flights. One day involved waking at 5 AM to catch a flight to Jaipur for a 3 PM event.
But it was her take on regular jobs that got people talking. She claimed desk workers don't need to be "100% present" and can take breaks, "chill out," and relax while working. She kept coming back to the unending scrutiny actors face like the feeling of always being watched or something as simple as how you cross your legs or who's snapping a picture in the background becomes a constant calculation. You have to be switched on, she insisted, all the time.
The internet, frankly, was having none of it. YouTube and Reddit exploded with responses. "For the kind of remuneration actors are paid, they shouldn't have a problem working 12 hours a day for 4 days a week," one user wrote. Another pointed out that films typically take 3-4 months to shoot, while regular jobs run year-round.
The responses got more pointed. "Vanity mein naps or massages bhi toh hum lete hain," a Reddit user commented, referencing the comfort of vanity vans. Someone else joked: "If you work poorly, you get fired. If you act poorly, you get a Filmfare award."
The bluntest response yet? "Respectfully, Kajol, shut up."
Nobody denies acting is demanding. Long hours, public pressure, and constant judgement are very real. But comparing it to regular employment ignores some major differences.
Most people work 12 months a year with two weeks' holiday if they're lucky. They don't have spot boys fetching drinks or vanity vans for rest breaks. One netizen nailed it: "A working parent's schedule is continuous, every single day, with no wrap-up party or off-season."
Online erupts as Kajol defends claim that acting demands more than everyday 9-to-5 workGetty Images
There's also the money. While her fee for a single film is probably more than most people earn in a year, she says that doesn’t make the work easy. Still, it does provide a comfort that regular employees don’t have. Kajol has not yet replied to the backlash.
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