Ashish Vidyarthi, a veteran actor celebrated for his versatile performances across numerous Indian film industries, recently shared a glimpse into his early struggles despite winning the prestigious National Film Award. In a recent interview with Siddharth Kannan, Vidyarthi recalled the time he won the National Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1995 for his role in Govind Nihalani's "Drohkaal".

Vidyarthi, a graduate of the National School of Drama, started his acting journey in Delhi's theater scene before moving to Mumbai. His breakthrough role in "Drohkaal" immediately established him as a talent to watch. However, despite the honor of the National Award, Vidyarthi was still facing financial difficulties.

He recounted the moment when Nihalani suggested he throw a party to celebrate his achievement. Overwhelmed, Vidyarthi confessed that he had no idea how he would afford such a celebration. Living in a rented apartment and responsible for his parents, the idea of hosting a party seemed impossible.

Vidyarthi recalled, "When I won the National Award, Govind ji told me to book Mainland China for a party. This was a restaurant I'd never set foot in, and had only seen from the outside. I had no idea how I could afford to 'book' it for a party. The fact is, I had no money".

Despite his financial constraints, Vidyarthi, with the help of a friend, managed to organize a modest celebration. He humorously shared, "I was literally holding a glass of water with some lime in it, because I didn't want to drink vodka and increase the bill. I was having vegetarian food". He even imagined the police arriving at the party due to potential noise or some other unforeseen issue.

Even after receiving the National Award, Vidyarthi's priority remained his family. He took on every job that came his way, including roles in B-grade movies with Mithun Chakraborty, solely to provide for his parents and cover household expenses.

Ashish Vidyarthi's career is marked by his ability to portray complex characters, often antagonists, with depth and nuance. Besides the National Award, he has also received a Filmfare Award South. Currently, Vidyarthi is exploring new avenues, including motivational speaking and comedy. He has also cultivated a significant online presence through his food vlogs. He is waiting for roles that showcase his full potential.