Ashish Vidyarthi is celebrating his birthday on June 16. Born on June 19, 1965, in Delhi, he has made a name for himself in the film industry with his iconic villainous roles. With a career spanning over three decades, he has worked in multiple languages, including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, English, Odia, and Marathi. His versatility as an actor has earned him numerous accolades, including a National Film Award.
A Promising Start
Ashish Vidyarthi’s journey in the entertainment industry began after graduating from the National School of Drama in 1990. He moved to Mumbai in 1992 to pursue his acting career. His breakthrough came with the 1993 film ‘Sardar,’ followed by ‘Drohkaal’ in 1994, for which he received a National Film Award for his outstanding performance. This recognition catapulted him to stardom, and he went on to appear in numerous films.
Some of his notable roles include a ruthless rebel in ‘Drohkaal,’ a cruel British officer in ‘1942: A Love Story,’ and a gangster in ‘Naajayaz.’ He has also worked alongside prominent actors like Sunny Deol in ‘Jeet’ and Bobby Deol in ‘Bichhoo.’ In ‘Kaho Naa… Pyaar Hai,’ he played a wealthy businessman and villain. His portrayal of IAF Chief R K Panicker in the 2023 film ‘Tejas’ was also well-received.
Personal Life
Ashish Vidyarthi’s personal life has seen its share of ups and downs. He was married to Rajoshi Vidyarthi, also known as Piloo Vidyarthi, an actress and RJ, from 2001 until their divorce in 2022. The couple has a son named Arth. In 2023, Ashish tied the knot with Rupali Baruah, a fashion industry professional from Assam. The two met during a fashion shoot and dated for several years before getting married.
The story behind Ashish’s surname is quite interesting. His father, Govind, was deeply influenced by the freedom fighter and writer Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi. As a young man, Govind would often portray Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi in theater performances, developing a strong affinity for the character. This led him to adopt ‘Vidyarthi’ as his surname.
What’s Next for Ashish Vidyarthi?
Recently, Ashish Vidyarthi was seen as a contestant on the show ‘The Traitors’ in 2025. Apart from acting, he runs a vlog on YouTube, where he shares videos about his food adventures and interactions with people. His YouTube channel, ‘Ashish Vidyarthi Actor Vlog,’ has gained popularity among his fans.