Posted:
Fourteen-year-old Siddharth Nigam has been given the opportunity to establish young Ashoka in Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, a historical show that chronicles the life of Emperor Ashoka, from childhood to his rise to power. And Siddharth is understandably nervous about it.
He says, "I am scared, because it's Ashoka and his story is being told on TV for the first time. But I am confident about its success because people will watch it as they want to know more about him. It will help people know of history in an entertaining way."
While Siddharth prefers reading about the background of the character he plays, the young actor made an exception for Ashoka. "When I was offered the part, I didn't look it up immediately," he says, adding, "However, I found a piece on him which said that he was a powerful king, who fought for his mother. He was cruel and ruthless in the beginning, but had a change of heart after the Kalinga war. I watched a few videos to know what he was like. That's it. I always thought that Ashoka was bad as he had killed a lot of people. But it was my mother who changed my perception. She told me that he killed people, but for a reason. Every night, she would tell me stories on Ashoka, helping me prepare for the shoot the following day."
The preparation for the role has been strenuous and full of hard work. "I started training for horse riding and sword fighting three months before the shoot. I was scared of horses. I used to feed my horse biscuits so that he wouldn't shake me off his back," he reveals. He also had to work on his language as the dialogues are generously laced with Sanskrit words.
He mentions, "My Hindi wasn't chaste. I had to polish and improve my language. I had taken diction class for a week."Siddharth's father passed away when he was young and it's his mother who has taken care of him and his elder brother single-handedly in Allahabad. He moved to Mumbai a few years ago. Siddharth's real life coincidentally seems to resonate with his reel life. "I love my mother and look up to her in real life. On the show, I fight for my mother's right. So, the sentiment is the same. It feels great as I can replicate my real feelings. It also sends out a great message that one should respect his or her mother as she is the one who gives birth to you," he says.
What many may not know is that he is a national level gymnast, his passion for it is steadfast despite getting a break in acting. He states, "Gymnastics is my passion and I want to get an Olympic gold medal in it. I still give time to it despite the hectic schedule."
The actor feels that the show will send across a positive message to its audience. "Today's generation fights a lot and mostly for the wrong reasons. We underestimate and don't value our culture and heritage in an attempt to ape other cultures. This show will lay emphasis on respecting one's own culture and mother," he says. Ask him what makes him apt for the part and pat comes the reply, "My looks and physique. I feel I resemble the historical character. Since I maintain my physique, all characters I play look good on the screen."
He says, "I am scared, because it's Ashoka and his story is being told on TV for the first time. But I am confident about its success because people will watch it as they want to know more about him. It will help people know of history in an entertaining way."
While Siddharth prefers reading about the background of the character he plays, the young actor made an exception for Ashoka. "When I was offered the part, I didn't look it up immediately," he says, adding, "However, I found a piece on him which said that he was a powerful king, who fought for his mother. He was cruel and ruthless in the beginning, but had a change of heart after the Kalinga war. I watched a few videos to know what he was like. That's it. I always thought that Ashoka was bad as he had killed a lot of people. But it was my mother who changed my perception. She told me that he killed people, but for a reason. Every night, she would tell me stories on Ashoka, helping me prepare for the shoot the following day."
The preparation for the role has been strenuous and full of hard work. "I started training for horse riding and sword fighting three months before the shoot. I was scared of horses. I used to feed my horse biscuits so that he wouldn't shake me off his back," he reveals. He also had to work on his language as the dialogues are generously laced with Sanskrit words.
He mentions, "My Hindi wasn't chaste. I had to polish and improve my language. I had taken diction class for a week."Siddharth's father passed away when he was young and it's his mother who has taken care of him and his elder brother single-handedly in Allahabad. He moved to Mumbai a few years ago. Siddharth's real life coincidentally seems to resonate with his reel life. "I love my mother and look up to her in real life. On the show, I fight for my mother's right. So, the sentiment is the same. It feels great as I can replicate my real feelings. It also sends out a great message that one should respect his or her mother as she is the one who gives birth to you," he says.
What many may not know is that he is a national level gymnast, his passion for it is steadfast despite getting a break in acting. He states, "Gymnastics is my passion and I want to get an Olympic gold medal in it. I still give time to it despite the hectic schedule."
The actor feels that the show will send across a positive message to its audience. "Today's generation fights a lot and mostly for the wrong reasons. We underestimate and don't value our culture and heritage in an attempt to ape other cultures. This show will lay emphasis on respecting one's own culture and mother," he says. Ask him what makes him apt for the part and pat comes the reply, "My looks and physique. I feel I resemble the historical character. Since I maintain my physique, all characters I play look good on the screen."
Udne Ki Aasha
Veer Hanuman
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
