Kama Of Kingstone

Ashish Vidyarthi, a well-known face in Bollywood needs no introduction.
The versatile actor has done numerous films in the last seven years down south in Telugu, Tamil and Kannada! He is back on the small screen now after a long gap in Waaris.
“My character Rudra Pratap is the perfect blend of black and white! His conflict is all about choosing his successor to head his family
business.”

So what projects is he doing lately? “Currently, along with Waaris, I’m shooting for four Tamil films and three Kannada films. I’m also working on two Hindi films — Red Alert by Anant Mahadevan and Shout with Seema Biswas.” With so much on his platter, how does he manage his schedule? “I am either travelling or shooting. I have no time for anything else but acting!” says the actor who has won National Film award for Best Actor in a supporting role for film Droh Kaal.

Having started his career with Sai Paranjpe’s TV serial Hum Panchhi Ek Chaal Ke, he says, “The television industry has metamorphosed completely. It has become bigger and more glamourous now. Even the channels are much more streamlined as the creative
inputs are given by both the production house and the channel. Channels are market research-oriented and tracks are routinely altered according to TRPs of the show.” He also adds “Television is now ruled by audience. Channels feed the audience with what they want to see. On television, audience is the king!” What is his take about reality shows? “They have really increased viewership. I personally prefer watching news channels and research-based shows.”

And how has his southern sojourn been so far? “Excellent. People down South have accepted me as an actor and even producers and directors have offered me a wide variety of characters to portray. The best part is that audiences down south accepted me as their own and love me for the roles I have played.”
And which have been his favourite roles till date? “I loved the characters I played in Is Raat ki Subah Nahi and Bichhoo; they are quite close to my heart.” says Ashish signing off.