Language doesn’t matter, content does : Ashish Vidyarthi

Indian actor Ashish Vidyarthi, who worked in movies in 14 different languages, is currently in Dhaka for the shooting of his second Bangladeshi movie Angaar. 

The national award winning actor had a conversation with Prothom Alo regarding his ideas and experience about Bangladeshi movies.

How do you feel about Bangladesh?

I feel great. I am thinking about my father a lot today. During the liberation war in 1971, when I was about six-seven years old, my father used to read out newspaper articles about the war to me. A few years ago, I worked with actor Razzak in a Kolkata movie in Haydrabad. I gave him a treat of Biriyani, and he cooked a meat dish for me. He was the first person I called when I landed in Bangladesh. We will meet soon, and I’m pretty excited about it.

Do you watch Bangla movies?

I worked in many Indo-Bangla movies, but I haven’t watched that many Bangla movies yet. Actor Ferdous is a good friend of mine. I watched one of his movies in a film festival in Singapore.

Your mother was a Bangalee. Did you get to observe Bangalee culture closely?

To be honest, I was quite far from. My father was from Kerala, and I grew up in Delhi. However, I always felt a string connection with Bangla. My wife Rajoshi Vidyarthi is from Kolkata. My mother-in-law Shakuntala Barua was a Bangali actress. So, gradually I get to know Bangla literature and culture, although I cannot speak that fluently yet.

You grew up in a cultural atmosphere. Did you struggle to get your break in Bollywood?

I am involved with theatre since my childhood. After finishing college, I joined the national school of drama. In the early days of my career, I did not work in films. I used to do dubbing in a stock market show titled Business Bati, which used to be telecasted in Durdarshan, to get by. I used to get Rs 150 for each show. It took a long time to get my first break in movies.

What are your priorities in terms of choosing a foreign language role?

I just want to work with good people. I also look for something exciting in the roles I get. Language is not a factor at all, I just want to work with people who are devoted to the project.