Ashish: I’m a 'new-born' 59-year-old stand-up comedian

With a career spanning over 3 decades, Ashish Vidyarthi is renowned for his compelling portrayals of intense and dramatic roles across more than 350 films in 11 languages. The veteran actor has now embraced the world of comedy with the same dedication and passion that has defined his acting career.
In an exclusive conversation with ETimes,

Vidyarthi

candidly opened up about his new stand-up comedy venture,

Vitthal Kaanya's Story

.

He shared insights into his extensive experience, his unique approach to both acting and comedy, and his passion for travel and personal growth. Vidyarthi also imparted valuable lessons on embracing life and celebrating every moment.
How did you decide that you should do stand-up? This is your first time, right?
Yes, because for so many years, I kept playing intense roles where my characters were constantly dying. People always saw me in a serious light. So I thought, let's explore something different. I wondered how long I would wait for someone to give me a role. So I decided to write and perform my own material, and I’m really enjoying it, exploring my funny side and making jokes about myself.

So how are you feeling? What kind of experience has it been?
Very good. One thing is that these are stories from my own life. The show is called

Vitthal Kaanya

's Story, and it's about things that have happened in my life. Normally, we make fun of someone else’s life, but I find a lot of material in my own experiences. So I’m having a lot of fun with it.
We see a lot of stand-up comedians using abusive language and sometimes sexual innuendos to make jokes. They even make fun of people in the audience. What do you think about that? Is it okay?

No, it’s an art form, but my stand-up comedy has zero abuse and zero sexual innuendos. I’ve crafted it in a way that I can make people laugh without resorting to that. That’s why this is very interesting for me. There are shortcuts, but I wanted to explore how I can make people laugh without offending anyone. It felt great when people gave feedback, appreciating that no one else was being made fun of. Anyway, I enjoy laughing at myself, so I’m really enjoying this. But Vitthal Kaanya's Story is a clean comedy that families can enjoy together without getting embarrassed.
Your comic timing has always been good. So which do you like better, doing comedy on screen or on stage?

Wherever I get a chance! But this is a lot of fun because I’m performing it myself. It’s my script, so I can bring my variations to it. There’s a lot of freedom. I’m experimenting with different timings, and every show is different. It’s a lot of fun.
Have you ever felt like doing romantic roles as well? Would you like to do a bit of romance on screen?
Actually, what you're saying is something I’ve interestingly brought into my stand-up comedy. You know, the roles you get depend on how well you can perform them. That’s the main thing, and that’s what I’ve always focused on. The beauty of stand-up comedy is that you can laugh at things that people usually take very seriously. Instead of making fun of others, I’m laughing at myself, my career, my life, and everything around it. When people see it, they often say, "When you laughed at yourself, I also felt a sense of relief. I'm sitting with a lot of tension too."
Did you ever feel typecast at a certain point, or did you enjoy every role you did?
Definitely, out of the 350-plus films I’ve done, 99 per cent of the roles have been negative. That’s why I say, whatever role I get, I do it well. My process is simple. I approach a role to make it believable. That’s it. It should be believable within the context of the film. Your process should align with the film’s tone. If it’s a larger-than-life film, you show a larger-than-life process. If it’s realistic, you keep it realistic.

Your role of Vitthal Kanya was very famous and well-liked. How did you approach that role?
Over the years, as you grow as an actor, you observe a lot of things. When certain things are explained to you, you draw from your life experiences. That’s how we created the character for Vitthal Kaanya.
What was your turning point?
When you have a 32-year career, there are many changes, so I don’t see it as just one moment. I see myself as a developing story. I don’t see my journey as taking a left turn or a right turn; I’m constantly evolving. One thing I can say is that I haven’t become anything overnight. I haven’t become famous overnight. I’ve been like a woodpecker, continuously working at it. It’s the same with my social media presence—over time, I’ve gained 2 million subscribers on YouTube and 150 million on Instagram. Gradually, I’ve built an identity, and I really celebrate that.
We see that there are a lot of challenges, and actors are often replaced. There’s also a debate about nepotism. Have you ever faced similar challenges in your career?
A lot. Anyone who has led a professional life, in any profession, knows that some opportunities come and go. In acting, it’s the same—some opportunities come and go. Life is filled with these variations, my friend. You shouldn’t dwell on what could have been. That’s just how it is. That’s why I say I haven’t become anything overnight. I’ve gone through the process, and I’ve reached where I am today. And I’m still working on it.
How do you deal with the ups and downs in life, in your career, and in relationships?
You deal with it with dignity. Remember, this is your life, not someone else’s. Just as you embrace the good, you should also embrace what’s not so good, because it’s a part of you. It’s very important to handle everything in your life with dignity. Otherwise, people will make fun of it. There’s nothing else to it. Whatever I’ve gone through in life, I’ve dealt with it with dignity, respect, and kindness toward others. This is what life is all about—there’s nothing more to it.
Well, most people, as we say, should accept what’s happening now and what has happened in the past. But many people still don’t understand or don’t want to understand. How would you guide them?
There’s no need to show anyone the way. Just remember one thing: if you don’t accept what’s happening, it will still be with you, and you’ll be in pain. As time passes, you age, things change, and you have to celebrate that. If there’s something you want to do, just do it. For example, there may be a lot of people who want to try stand-up comedy but think, "I’m a famous actor, how can I do stand-up comedy now?" I said, "I’ll do it," and I did it. At the age of 59, on March 31st, 2024, I took the mic for the first time and stood on stage. I did it because you have to do it. Don’t be scared. You have to take risks, and that’s what I believe in.

In your food vlogs, I noticed something unique—you really enjoy tasting food, and you express that enjoyment so well. Does that come naturally to you?
Yes, I eat like this. I’m very fond of eating and I love sharing that with people. Now, I’m talking to you. That’s how I do it.
Last year, you got married, and you addressed it very openly, including the trolling. It’s been more than a year. How are you feeling now?

Amazing. We’re sharing our lives with people—it’s our life, my friend. You know, you have to celebrate your life. You have to carry your own weight and celebrate that life. And I believe we should encourage others to do the same. Don’t wait for everything to be perfect to celebrate—embrace life as it is.
Speaking of your career, you’ve done a variety of roles across different situations. Nowadays, cinema has become more realistic. How do you feel about this shift? Do you think it’s the right direction?
I actually started with realistic cinema, with films like Dhroh Kaal and Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin. After that, I did mainstream commercial cinema for a while. But over the last four to five years, I’ve been doing more realistic roles, whether it’s in Sunflower, which is a comedy, Rana Naidu, Half Pants Full Pants, Kaun Praveen Tambe?, Kill, and Vedaa. I take on the roles I get, and I really enjoy it.
How do you measure success?
There’s no need to measure success. Success is often someone else’s standard. I measure my life by whether I sleep well at night, whether I spend my day well, whether I get to work with good people, and whether I do good work. That’s how I see life—every day is important. Success or failure isn’t about meeting others’ standards. I’m 100% in my life, and I aim to make every day amazing. Whether it’s a good day or bad in someone else’s eyes, I focus on making my day great. If you can handle yourself with dignity and get through the day, there’s nothing better.
You mentioned that people will always say something about you or your life. How seriously should one take such opinions?
It’s like when you visit a doctor. If the doctor tells you that you don’t need a certain medicine, you don’t take it. Similarly, when someone says something about you, it’s up to you whether you want to accept it or not. Everyone is sensible—you’re doing an interview, and if a veteran gives you advice on how to do it, you’ll probably take it. But if someone gives you unsolicited advice, it’s your discretion whether to accept it. You can’t stop people from talking, but it’s up to you to decide what’s beneficial for you and apply that in your life. In my stand-up comedy, you’ll see that I’ve taken a lot of what people have said about me and applied it to my life.
And how are you in real life? Are you calm, romantic, or easily irritated?
Oh, you’d have to ask others about that. I think people would say that I’m a nice person who treats others well, enjoys good food, and travels a lot. You can get a sense of my life by watching my vlogs. That’s the closest to reality. If I’m hungry, I eat; if I need rest, I sleep. It’s all quite normal.
What are your plans for the future?

I’m very fond of traveling, so I do a lot of it. I also focus on personal growth in different areas. For instance, I’m currently working as a motivational speaker and focusing on leadership within organizations through my company, Ashish Vidyarthi and Associates. I also vlog, which involves two main aspects: meeting various people and sharing their stories, and creating food-related videos. Additionally, I’ve recently started stand-up comedy, so you could say I’m a "new-born" 59-year-old

stand-up comedian

.
Given your extensive experience in the industry and work across 11 languages, do young actors come to you for guidance?
Occasionally, they do. I don’t conduct formal classes, but I’m happy to share advice when asked. I always tell them that their journey will be unique to them. Don’t try to follow someone else’s path. Be inspired by others but create your own way and live boldly. Social pressures and conditioning can be challenging, but you should follow your own path. Listen to those who support you and pay your own bills. Don’t be swayed by external pressures.
Finally, how would you like to be remembered by your family and loved ones?
I want to be remembered as a loving person who is excited about life. I describe my life as one full of exploration and hope, not just for myself but for others as well.