Renowned actor, stand-up comedian, and content creator Ashish Vidyarthi recently opened up about his intriguing journey with GoPro, a collaboration that began during one of the many surreal phases of the pandemic. This partnership led him to explore new dimensions of storytelling, allowing him to look at people more closely and craft narratives that resonate deeply with audiences. Today, this versatile National Award-winning actor boasts an impressive 1.93 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, “Actor Ashish Vidyarthi Vlogs,” and 1.5 million followers on his Instagram handle.
Ashish Vidyarthi was recently in Kerala as part of his initiative, “Raining Smiles.” This project aims to spread joy and laughter by following the monsoons across the country, performing stand-up comedy in various locations. From Kanyakumari, he moved to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, and Kochi, delivering impromptu gigs in cafes and restaurants. This endeavor highlights his versatility, having previously captivated audiences with his more formal performances under the banner “Sit Down Ashish.” His recent shows at the Habitat in Mumbai and Black Cat in Kolkata were met with enthusiastic applause.
In contrast to “Sit Down Ashish,” which is structured and rehearsed, “Raining Smiles” is informal, spontaneous, and organic. “I will come to places where performances are not usually held. I will meet people and perform as well,” Vidyarthi explains. This approach allows him to connect with audiences on a personal level, showcasing his warmth and friendliness, traits evident in his engaging vlogs.
Accompanying him on these adventures is his wife, Rupali. Together, they travel extensively, adding a personal touch to his content creation. Balancing multiple roles is second nature to Vidyarthi, who seemingly thrives on the constant movement. “I go to bed completely tired,” he declares, “I like to go to bed tired rather than bored. And I am not bored!” His passion for storytelling and performance keeps him perpetually invigorated.
Vidyarthi’s vlogs encompass a wide range of topics, including food adventures. Initially, his content focused on interviews with extraordinary yet little-known individuals. Reflecting on his foray into content creation, he recalls, “It was an interesting period of my life when I was going through stuff. It is said that the more you keep looking at yourself, the more you get depressed. Things don’t go according to plan, and this [vlogging] too was not planned.” He confesses that he knew very little about vlogging initially, as he had previously been more inclined towards blogging.
. Vlogging, however, proved to be a therapeutic outlet during challenging times.
One particularly popular segment of his vlogs features him exploring lesser-known food spots with locals. Vidyarthi fondly remembers his first food reel, a video of him savoring vada pav in Mumbai, shot by a colleague. He candidly shares that he started with zero subscribers on YouTube and merely 20,000 followers on Instagram. Today, his massive following speaks volumes about his popularity and the authenticity he brings to his content.
This new avenue of expression is not the result of “purposeful design,” as Vidyarthi puts it. “I am combining my two loves — traveling and eating. I am expressing myself in ways beyond what I am expected to as an actor.” His genuine passion for these pursuits shines through, making his content relatable and engaging.
In another facet of his versatile career, Vidyarthi is a motivational speaker, a role he has embraced for the past 13 years, which also entails frequent travel. “That was my first new avatar,” he notes. “The vlogging part is new. And stand-up comedy is the newest. For me, it is an extension of who I am. The material comes from my life; I can laugh at myself… which is again therapeutic,” says the 58-year-old. He also runs another YouTube channel, “Fifty Plus Zindagi,” and a podcast, “The Ashish Vidyarthi Podcast.”
Despite his packed schedule, Vidyarthi continues to take on film roles, selectively choosing projects that captivate him. With over 350 films in 11 languages to his name, he enjoys the luxury of waiting for roles that truly interest him. “I’m looking for those amazing roles, and when I say amazing, I mean ones that are central to the film. As an actor, it is interesting to wait for things to happen.”
The question of how he manages to balance everything naturally arises. “I have time for everything because I wake up very early. On days I have a shoot, I record my vlogs before and after it!” he explains. This disciplined approach allows him to juggle his various roles seamlessly, continually adding new dimensions to his already illustrious career.
