Siddharth Nigam, popular was his portrayal of Ashoka, in the television series, has become quite a name on social media. We got in touch with him for a candid chat on same. Excerpts from our conversation:
You have become more active on social media platform?
As we all are lockdown, I am just trying to utilize this time to entertain my fans via available platforms. I have become more active on YouTube, Instagram and been making TikTok videos. I often go LIVE on these platforms, to chat with them but that doesn't mean I am ignoring my family. I am helping out my mother and spending some real good time with my brother after a very long time and my pet also.
So, are you not missing going out?
I am definitely missing the world outside, especially shooting for my show, Aladdin. At the same time, I am also nervous that whatever bank episodes we have, will get over in these days and when we start shooting again, we won't have any buffer. This means double the hours of work and a crazy schedule. Add to that, our show is a costume drama, so anyway things take time.
Your music video with Avneet, Luck Di Kasam, is breaking the Internet...
Yes and I am feeling so good and happy about it. In just one week, it has crossed 20 million views, which is a big deal.
Can you recall your first music video and the story behind...
I have done five music videos so far. My first album was recorded by a new singer and sadly, it didn't work that well. It crossed around 15 million views, in months but I was happy as that was my beginning too in the music world. But post that all my songs have done great. My song with Jannat Zubair Rehmani titled, Zaroori Hai Ishq, was loved by all. I enjoy doing music videos as it is more of a vacation for me- we shoot at good locations and I don't have to mug up pages of dialogues.
TikTok is a big craze among people nowadays. You're also quite active on it, how do you manage to take out time for it?
TikTok videos are not that time-consuming. All you need is proper time, light and location that's it. I don't like sitting doing nothing, so, I keep myself involved in various activities, and TikTok videos are one of those things. But as a responsible celebrity, I try to make videos which give out a positive and social message. Also, I try to generate my own content- like recently my brother and I made a video on save earth which was appreciated by fans. It is a platform which influences trillions of people and apt for those who want to show their talent. Earlier, people struggled a lot for auditions and faced many obstacles, but if you are a active on TikTok, you can audition sitting at your home and be seen by many.
Does being on social media and having a large number of followers, help you get work?
It does, to an extent because I know people who are weak when it comes to acting or being a performer, but are still bagging projects, just because they have a huge social media following. But I don't encourage this. I feel talent should be justified as I also know people who are extremely hard working but they aren't getting what they deserve.
As a celebrity, how important it is to be active on social media?
I joined social media for my fans. When I was doing Ashoka, at that time I didn't even have a phone. I got one in Standard 12, and I was told to connect with fans, you will have to be on social media platforms and make them meet Siddharth. And believe me post that, fans came to know me as Siddharth Nigam. Before that, whenever I stepped out, people addressed me as Ashoka. I never came to social media platform with the intention to earn but now it has become a good revenue model too. You can do brand promotions and earn money, however, it has its demerits too.
You think maintaining a celebrity status is important these days?
I have done a lot of hard work to reach where I am today. I don't want to name anyone but there are people who have just got famous due to their TikTok videos and are now carrying an attitude that of big stars. I feel like telling them they should be thankful to God that they are getting things sitting home and be respectful to the fans, who are respectful to them.
Image Source:- instagram/thesiddharthnigam
Image Source:- instagram/thesiddharthnigam