Ashish Vidyarthi, one of Bollywood’s most versatile performers, has opened up about the financial hardships he faced at the peak of an early career milestone. In a candid conversation with Siddharth Kannan, the actor recalled that when he won the National Award for Govind Nihalani’s Drohkaal, he was unable to even pay his rent. The recognition, which should have been a turning point, came with personal struggles that few knew about.
Ashish shared that his director had suggested celebrating with a party at Mainland China, a restaurant he had only admired from the outside. Encouraged by a friend, he went ahead with the plan, but the evening was overshadowed by his anxiety over the bill. “I was holding a glass of lime water because I didn’t want to increase the cost by ordering vodka,” he admitted, adding that even non-drinkers and vegetarians splurged on food and drinks that night.
The actor confessed that at one point, he nervously asked Govind Nihalani if he might have to wash dishes or face police action if he couldn’t pay. To his relief, the filmmaker assured him that he would handle the expenses, allowing Ashish to finally enjoy the evening.
Reflecting on his journey, Ashish also revealed that financial responsibility toward his parents pushed him to accept whatever work came his way, which included several B-grade films. His story highlights the unseen struggles many actors endure behind the glamour of awards and fame.
