Success in the film industry often looks glamorous from the outside, but the reality behind the curtain can be startlingly different. One celebrated actor, an NSD graduate and National Award-winner, once found himself at the peak of recognition yet completely broke. In fact, on the night he was supposed to be celebrating his big win, he was silently panicking about whether he’d even be able to pay the restaurant bill.
Ashish Vidyarthi, known today not just as an actor but also as a motivational speaker and food vlogger, opened up about this chapter of his life in a candid chat with Siddharth Kannan. After bagging the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for Drohkaal in 1995, his director, Govind Nihalani, suggested throwing a party to mark the moment. The idea sounded simple enough—except Ashish was struggling to make rent at the time, let alone finance a celebratory gathering.
Encouraged by a friend, he went ahead with the party but couldn’t shake off his financial worries. He recalled sipping a glass of water with lime because he feared ordering vodka. He also mentioned how even teetotallers demanded drinks and vegetarians insisted on meat that night. At one point, his anxiety got the better of him, and he nervously pulled Nihalani aside to whisper, “What if I can’t pay the bill?" He grew so anxious about the bill that he even imagined himself being forced to wash dishes or getting into trouble with the police if he couldn’t pay.
Much to his relief, the filmmaker reassured him that he’d take care of the expenses. That gesture of kindness finally allowed Ashish to relax and enjoy the evening—one that remains etched in his memory as both a triumph and a reminder of the struggles that often hide behind success.
About Ashish Vidyarthi
Ashish Vidyarthi was born in Delhi, grew up in a culturally rich household with a Malayali father, Govind Vidyarthi, and a Bengali mother, Reba. After training at the National School of Drama and working with the Act One theatre group, Ashish shifted to Mumbai in 1992. He made an early mark with roles in films like Sardar and Drohkaal, the latter winning him the National Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1995.
Known for his powerful performances, especially in negative roles, he went on to act in over 300 films across 11 languages, earning recognition in projects like 1942: A Love Story and Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin. Beyond films, he has built a digital presence as a food vlogger on YouTube. Recently, he has appeared in Malayalam hit Aavesham, the Hindi film Kill, and the reality show The Traitors.
Ashish Vidyarthi, known today not just as an actor but also as a motivational speaker and food vlogger, opened up about this chapter of his life in a candid chat with Siddharth Kannan. After bagging the National Award for Best Supporting Actor for Drohkaal in 1995, his director, Govind Nihalani, suggested throwing a party to mark the moment. The idea sounded simple enough—except Ashish was struggling to make rent at the time, let alone finance a celebratory gathering.
Encouraged by a friend, he went ahead with the party but couldn’t shake off his financial worries. He recalled sipping a glass of water with lime because he feared ordering vodka. He also mentioned how even teetotallers demanded drinks and vegetarians insisted on meat that night. At one point, his anxiety got the better of him, and he nervously pulled Nihalani aside to whisper, “What if I can’t pay the bill?" He grew so anxious about the bill that he even imagined himself being forced to wash dishes or getting into trouble with the police if he couldn’t pay.
Much to his relief, the filmmaker reassured him that he’d take care of the expenses. That gesture of kindness finally allowed Ashish to relax and enjoy the evening—one that remains etched in his memory as both a triumph and a reminder of the struggles that often hide behind success.
About Ashish Vidyarthi
Ashish Vidyarthi was born in Delhi, grew up in a culturally rich household with a Malayali father, Govind Vidyarthi, and a Bengali mother, Reba. After training at the National School of Drama and working with the Act One theatre group, Ashish shifted to Mumbai in 1992. He made an early mark with roles in films like Sardar and Drohkaal, the latter winning him the National Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1995.
Known for his powerful performances, especially in negative roles, he went on to act in over 300 films across 11 languages, earning recognition in projects like 1942: A Love Story and Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin. Beyond films, he has built a digital presence as a food vlogger on YouTube. Recently, he has appeared in Malayalam hit Aavesham, the Hindi film Kill, and the reality show The Traitors.
You may also like
US visa shake-up: No more 'duration of status'; plans fixed stay limits for foreign students, exchange visitors
Freddie Mercury's 'secret love child' furiously slams 'inaccurate' biopic
Heavily tattooed woman warns of the dangers of extreme body modification
Furious Ruben Amorim points finger at Man Utd players after Carabao Cup humiliation
Emmanuel Haro's dad 'admits killing seven-month-old and dumping him in bin'
