Siddharth Nigam on bagging a movie with Salman Khan; says, “It is a new journey again after the film releases”
Siddharth Nigam, who was last seen in the TV show Alladin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga, has been missing from the small screen for almost two years. The actor, who made his debut in the movies as a child actor in Dhoom 3 with Aamir Khan, is now all set to make his Bollywood debut in Salman Khan’s upcoming movie Kisi ka Bhai Kisi ka Jaan.
During a recent interview, the actor talked about his journey from being a gymnast to a TV actor and now doing a film with Salman Khan. Siddharth said “When I did Dhoom 3 as a child actor (2013), I was very young. Later, I began my career as a TV actor with the show Mahakumbh (2014). Thereafter, I was chosen to play a younger Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat (2015-16). It was a 2-month role, which got extended to two years. And though it was a role of a lifetime, I got categorized as a child actor for a very long time. After that show, I got several films offering to play a younger version of a star. And when it came to TV offers, I was categorized as a myth or historical show actor. People felt that I was more suited for the fantasy/fiction genre. In the last 10 years, I have not done many TV shows for two reasons. One, I was offered similar roles or the content wasn’t great. But, regardless, I feel TV has been a great training ground.”
Talking about how he met Salman, he shared, “My mother and I in those days would often talk about ‘what if I bag a film with Salman Khan someday’, and this manifestation finally came true last year. I used to shoot in Karjat many years ago and got an opportunity to meet Salman Khan and he liked my work because I was a gymnast. He would even call me when he came to his farm at Karjat. That’s how he thought of me when he was making Kisi Ka Bhai.. He told me how I suited the role and I heard the script and started shooting for it.”
Looking forward to the film’s release, he said, “I have landed a big film and it is an interesting role. But, it is not that I have signed five films after this. It will be another struggle and a new journey once the film is released and people see my work. Yes, when Salman Khan first narrated the role to me, at the back of my mind I was thinking what if I don’t like the role, how will I say no to a star like Salman Khan. But it all worked out well. He made working on the set easier for me and I never felt that it was tough or difficult to understand the scenes. I am hoping that people will like my role, I am playing his brother. I am very satisfied with my role and feel that he has justified my character in the film.”
While it all seems hunky dory right now, Siddarth’s journey has not been easy. He shared, “When we stayed in Allahabad 10 years ago, my mother ran a beauty center. At that time, we used to think of how to manage our monthly expenses. Then I became a gymnast and came to Mumbai to try my luck in showbiz. Now I am a proud owner of four-wheeler vehicles, but at that time, I never dreamt I could own a bike. I am happy to have come this far.”