#Tellyblazer - Aladdin: Naam Toh Suna Hoga's Siddharth Nigam on his struggling days: There was a time when we could not afford normal food and would survive on dahi-chawal

Handsome and talented Siddharth Nigam, who made his debut as a child actor in a blockbuster film, Dhoom 3 in 2013 has come a long way. Even after delivering a superhit film like Dhoom 3 barely at the age of 13, the young actor decided to pursue his passion of gymnastics and stayed away from the showbiz industry. He returned to the small screen with Mahakumbh and then went on to win hearts as Ashoka.Siddharth is a national level gold medalist gymnast and has faced many hardships while growing up. In this week’s Telly Blazer section with ETimes TV, the young actor speaks about overcoming all trials and tribulations and having a good life, bagging Dhoom 3, the tough decision of leaving gymnastics for acting, facing rejections and Bollywood actor Salman Khan's advice to him.
You started acting at a very early stage, did you miss out on anything?
Definitely, I have missed those moments. I was a gymnast when I was very young and the discipline is very tough. I would wake up at 4 am for practice and led a very disciplined life. I never hung out or partied with my friends late at night. I would not be awake till late and even if I was then it would be either for studies or thinking about gymnastics. Since my childhood, my schedule has been very disciplined. So, yes I have missed out the real bachpan - playing with friends, doing things that a child would enjoy. I never had many friends because of my work. I have been a workaholic all through. But I believe whatever happens is for good only as I feel I could spend more time on gymnastics and become a national level player. Then I got into the industry, so you have to sacrifice certain things to achieve something in life.

How was the shifting phase for you when you had to leave everything behind and adjust in Mumbai?
All the fame and success that I have got in the industry wasn't served to me on a platter. I had to really work hard for it. I would say that I have worked really hard to get where I am today. (maine apni thali mein aik aik sabzi se lekar aik aik daal aur chawal ka daana khud ki mehnat se rakha hai. ) Everyone has their share of difficulties in life. I belong to a small town and have no connection in the industry. It was a very difficult life because I lost my father at a very young age. And my mother has brought us up alone. We would eat dahi chawal on days because we didn't have that much money to get sufficient ration. (like dal, sabzi afford nahi kar sakte they). I am not talking about lavish food but we could not even afford basic food. I have seen those days too. It has been an adventurous journey and I have made many sacrifices along with my mother. I always thank God and my fans for all their love and support for where I am is because of their blessings and love.
Did you face rejections? And was it difficult to get work
I have faced rejections and bure tareeke ke rejections at the start of my career. But even after doing a movie like Dhoom 3, I went back to gymnastics because I had this love for my sport. Both luck and my hard work paid off. After Dhoom 3 my life changed and I got many offers. I became Dhoom boy. I have to keep working hard no matter how big I become. My mantra is based on two things - I have to work hard and second believe in myself, give my 101 per cent to any project I do. Post Dhoom 3 things started falling in place, then I gave look test for Ashoka and got selected. Ashoka went on for two years, it gave me money and fame. I established myself in the industry. After Ashoka I did reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa. Ashoka got me fame and that's when I thought that we can stay in Mumbai and continue to work in this industry. I did reality shows and then in 2018 I bagged Aladdin. I also waited for good roles to come my way. After Ashoka I have done a few shows which I wasn't sure about but I did them. I believe Aladdin was meant for me and it became very popular.

How did you bag the role in Dhoom 3?
I have never given many auditions so I don't have enough stories to share about rejections. Whatever little auditions I gave there were a few bitter experiences. Gymnastics was an important part of my life. My goal was to win an Olympic goal medal. When I did the show Ashoka, after that I had to wait to get a good role. Because for anybody if they have reached a certain level or achieved a certain kind of fame then you can not accept any lame thing that comes your way as there are expectations from fans. At the same time there are a few others who keep trying to pull you down. I remember when I got Aladdin people said that he won't be able to pull off Aladdin. So people judge you and those people are like obstacles and you have to keep proving them and move ahead. I worked really hard on Aladdin and made my own reference for Aladdin. My director had faith in me and we worked hard for one week to build my own Aladdin. I felt if you are a true artist then you can achieve anything.
I had done an ad and then my mother got a call directly from Yash Raj Films. We never knew about YRF or Shanoo Sharma. I knew about Dhoom and Dhoom 2. When she got the call saying they are from so and so production, my mother got scared and disconnected the phone. Mumbai was like London or America for me. Then we searched the names from where we had got the call. She then called up again. We told them that we don't have so much money to travel to Mumbai for a look test. The plan then went into the backburner. But a month later, we got a call again for the same film. They called us to Mumbai and they made arrangements for our accommodation. In Mumbai we met Shanoo Sharma and they loved me the moment I gave the look test. I genuinely thank the production house for everything they did for me during the making of Dhoom 3. It was not just a movie set for me but like family for me.

How difficult was it to leave gymnastics and move your focus to showbiz industry?
We thought of this decision of working in films based for our monetary needs. Because there is a time your life when you have to think about your family also. I was very young and my mother told us about it and I decided to go ahead. It was a very difficult and tough decision to leave gymnastics for my acting. I still remember I was staying in a hostel that time and I couldn't sleep thinking about my decision. Then I spoke to one of seniors there and he advised me that I can't sail in two boats. It was a tough decision. But just for the love and dedication for gymnastics that while doing Ashoka too I went to play nationals and won 8 medals. I was so passionate about gymnastics that I did both. I continue doing gymnastics till date. Later, I had pressure of studies, gymnastics while doing Ashoka and then I realised I can't continue doing everything together like this and shifted my focus to acting. But I managed to do it all and let's see how long it goes from here.
How tough was the transition period from child actor to the main lead?
I have done all the projects after discussing with my mom. After doing Dhoom 3, I got offers to play a child actor in other projects also. By God's grace I said no to child actor roles as I did not want a child actor's tag. My director had also advised us to take a break. I kept waiting for a good project with patience. Then I finally got Ashoka, it was a three month project and then it went on for two long years. I won all the awards for Ashoka. I knowingly avoided child actor projects to become what I am today.

How tough was the choice to keep away from movies and continue gymnastics after the success of Dhoom 3.
After Dhoom 3, my mother opened an NGO. I was only doing gymnastics then. I worked really hard for one year and then I became a pro in gymnastics. My hand would bleed as I would just keep practicing and enhancing my skill. I would be immense pain, but all my hard work paid off well. From 2010 to 2015 I was a medalist in Gymnastics. My education, hostel fees were taken care of by the government. I have played at National level also. So, by the grace of God life wasn't that tough. My mother would stay with my elder brother and she would work in an NGO and run a parlour. So life was okay. There shouldn't be any ego in your life as it can take a turn for good or worse anytime.
You have been exposed to the limelight at a very young age, have you ever felt pressurised?
I feel pressurised but I also feel that I am lucky to have got that love. As the kind of love I have got from my fans people don't get it so easy and at such an early age. I want to enjoy this phase and not take it as pressure. I want to keep doing new things for myself and keep growing. I don't have any attitude and any airs about myself. I don't have ego. I enjoy being there for my fans.
Being a famous face at a young age, are you conscious of what you post on social media?
I am definitely conscious about what to post. I want to post something that people or my fans enjoy. Earlier people were active on social media for themselves but now it is for public consumption. I think twice before posting anything on Instagram as I don't want to brag but post something that is good for the followers.

Celebrities are often being trolled, how do you deal with it?
Touchwood I have not been trolled till now in a bad way. As I said earlier mujhe saji sajayi thali nahi mili and I have worked hard to come where I am, so people know about my journey and relate to me. Those who do troll me I keep saying that don't mess with me. My fans take care of my trolls on their own.
How was your journey before Ashoka?
There have been many times because of my hard work people have recommended me in the industry.
Going forward do you aspire to become a Bollywood hero?
I keep trying everyday for a Bollywood movie. But I am not sure whether I will ever get a Bollywood movie or not but what I can keep doing is keep trying and believing in myself. I will not lose hope. Definitely there is a debate of outsider and insider. I keep on learning because I don't know what kind of a role I will get. The insiders have different obstacles and hurdles to face. People like us have to face different kind of hurdles, we have to fight our way up. For them their parents or relatives already worked hard and set a benchmark for them. Nepotism debate will be there in any field. And it is true that a father or any uncle would want to give a chance to their child and then it is on their hard work or calibre which takes them forward. So, I am in a category where I will keep working hard and happen to be noticed by someone at some point of time and who can probably launch me. I have a dream to become a Bollywood superstar one day.

Who do you idolize in your life?
I idolize Shah Rukh Khan sir. I am a diehard SRK fan and the way he speaks. I just love him. I have never met SRK. I shared a good bonding with Salman Sir when I was shooting for Ashoka in Karjat and he was shooting for Sultan and other films. I would workout in his gym and had dinner with him too. We would workout together. Salman sir had asked me about my per day salary once when I was working on Ashoka and he was really shocked after hearing it. As my per day was very low at that time. He called up someone and told that person how low I was being paid. And after he spoke about it and there was a boom in my per day after a year of being on Ashoka.
What advise did Salman Khan gave you?
Salman sir has given me very good advice that you are a gymnast, your body is flexible. He said you look like John Travolta, so I searched for him. I thanked him. He said involve your gymnastics in your acting. If I add a flip in my scenes while delivering a dialogue then people will notice me. So, I have added such things in my role for Aladdin too.
I learnt Parkour after watching YouTube videos on my own. I was a very bad dancer but I have improved a lot. While doing Jhalak I would rehearse for 18 hours at a stretch to get the perfect moves. I added my gymnastics into it too and that's why people know me as an action actor.

Which has been the most cherished achievement of yours?
Mummy ki khushi because if my mother is upset with my work then I am not happy. My mother's happiness is of the utmost importance to me. A smile on her face is everything for me. We idolize our mother and she is a very strong person. She is the backbone of our life and has guided us to work hard. I idolize my mother.
You share a very great equation with your contemporaries, how do you all manage to keep this positivity and not let competition sink in?
I think all my friends are very good. Ashnoor, Jannat and they all want to give their best. There is a healthy competition among us. We don't compete with each other but with ourselves. Nobody does leg pulling or is jealous of each other. But we are good friends and are very helpful.

Avneet and your pairing is love by fans, now that she is not part of your show, do you guys get time to meet each other?
Avneet and I, we both are very busy right now. We still try to meet but we meet at parties or functions.