Ashish Vidyarthi, a veteran Indian actor, is the living embodiment of “One Man, Many Personas.” From dominating the silver screen to revolutionising boardrooms and inspiring millions with his words, Vidyarthi proves that life is too short to be confined to a single role. He is not just breaking down barriers; he is demonstrating that they never existed in the first place. In Vidyarthi’s world, every new day offers an opportunity to add another exciting chapter to his ever-evolving story.
This one-man powerhouse has excelled in numerous fields. He’s a pioneering entrepreneur, a captivating storyteller, India’s most sought-after motivational speaker, a leadership coach, and a social media sensation who won the ‘Best Travel and Food Vlogger’ award at the #LokmatDigitalCreatorAwards 2023. And as if that weren’t enough, he is now embracing his inner comedian as a stand-up performer.
At the ripe young age of 59, when most people are planning their retirement, Vidyarthi is busy creating new ways to conquer the world – one punchline at a time, proving that age is no barrier to staying relevant. At this pace, he is not just trending; he’s setting the trends.
Vidyarthi is a National Award-winning actor who has graced screens in over 300 films across 11 languages. Additionally, he’s the co-founder of Ashish Vidyarthi and Associates – or, to give it its catchier name, Avid Miner. This dynamic company and its team have transformed more businesses than a Silicon Valley startup on steroids – impacting 250+ organisations across 37+ industries in 32 countries, both in India and abroad. Avid Miner isn’t just another organisation; it is a life skills bootcamp! It is the ‘ultimate destination for transformation’, where learning programmes are designed as immersive experiences to empower individuals to create extraordinary lives.
From the silver screen to the corporate world, from viral vlogs to transformational talks, Vidyarthi embodies the spirit of continuous growth and innovation. His journey is a testament to the power of embracing change and pursuing one’s passions relentlessly, regardless of age or life stage. He’s on a mission to ignite minds, firmly believing that we are all here for a higher purpose. This belief has led him to inspire more than a million people. The HRM had a conversation with Vidyarthi. Excerpts:
Q: You’re constantly reinventing yourself to stay relevant. How can others emulate your approach to maintaining their youthfulness and professional vitality?
A: We all need to recognise that our lives are longer than any particular career path we choose. Therefore, we must eat, live and thrive throughout our lives. It is essential for everyone to ensure they remain relevant and valuable throughout their journeys. By doing so, we can engage in interesting activities and contribute meaningfully. What you call ‘recreating’ is something I am doing consciously or unconsciously because I love to work. I enjoy adding value and don’t want to become stagnant.
Q: What are your mantras for personal branding that others can learn from?
A: I recommend everyone to be exceptional. When more people desire to associate with what you offer, that is when you become a brand. You also capture the imagination of others.
I believe in transforming thinking. Whatever you do, do it well. There is no rocket science to it. Right now, my goal is to provide valuable insights in this interview and prepare for my next task. Whether I am an actor, vlogger, traveller, motivational speaker, father, or friend, if I can excel in the present moment, people will start appreciating me. Adding value is the work I always share with others. You can make your life meaningful. It’s not about doing something for someone else. You own your life, and today is yours to make extraordinary.
Q: You mean we should respect our jobs?
A: I work with leadership teams. Leaders themselves envision the future that others may not see. How can leaders communicate powerfully so that others understand? That’s the key. How can leaders address their own inadequacies, such as “I can’t do it”? That’s the work I engage in.
Q: During your career, many have come and gone. What have you done to sustain your journey in Bollywood?
A: No one has disappeared. The point is that when you’re in the audience, you notice those who are successful. But we should remember that people are progressing despite fluctuations in success. If you’re just a viewer, you’ll only focus on the stars. I suggest you start looking at yourself and work towards sustainability. There will be times in the eyes of viewers when you’re at your peak, but sometimes you’ll be down. Regardless of these circumstances, you need to excel in every phase. Many actors experience highs and lows, just like businesses and individuals. Instead of discussing others, I suggest people focus on themselves because their highs and lows are both part of their lives. Don’t disregard either of them. Remember, nothing lasts forever.
Q: It’s said that during the peak of your success, many people will surround you to celebrate, but during your lows, you’ll have to deal with it alone. Is that true, and have you experienced such a situation?
A: Those people have been there for your success. You only know known people but you won’t know an unknown person. And the unknown person is also doing something. The point is not to be a superstar; everyone can’t be a superstar. But we can be amazing human beings or professionals. That’s what my entire work is about. I’d like to say, don’t try to be a superstar; instead, try to do the things you’re engaged in amazingly. No work is small, no person is small.
Q: Starting from drama to vlogging, how would you like to differentiate them?
A: I love to tell stories and meet people. Starting with theatre, I have done films, started vlogging, motivational talks, leadership conversations and workshops, and now I’m also doing stand-up comedy. In stand-up comedy, I write my own material, which is a story of my life. I laugh at myself, allowing myself to be lighthearted and encouraging people to view life in a light manner. There’s no need to make it significant. You can do amazing things but keep it light. In a way, I’m expressing myself differently. I’m very excited about these stories I’m telling people. I’m telling them without abuses, without sexual innuendos, and families are coming to watch them, which makes me very happy. I look forward to performing in Kathmandu soon.
Q: How can people stay motivated, and what are the ways to gracefully transition from a peak?
A: There isn’t a graceful exit. People are actually transitioning. If I asked if you gracefully transitioned from Grade IX to Grade X, you were moved. In leadership, you’re doing the same and moving forward. As a leader, a certain brand is associated with you. The leader within you has evolved and is pursuing something else. Start viewing yourself as someone who is leading your life with grace. Every decision is a call of grace. If I take on a job, I do it with grace. If I move on from a job, I do it with grace. Speak positively about yourself; don’t say you lost. Of course, with grace, you’re moving on, and things happen at specific times. However, your ability to approach your life with grace is your responsibility.
Q: What are the privileges of ageing gracefully?
A: You find it very fulfilling. Imagine moving on as a loser or moving on with a sense of accomplishment. The latter is crucial. Be kind to yourself. Don’t become your own historian; let others write your history. That’s why I’m saying don’t worry about others. Focus on your interactions with yourself. I don’t care about all the things I’ve done. I’m now the next person, and I also ensure that I don’t start expecting things from people. Those expectations are creations of my mind, and the person I have expectations of might not be thinking the same way. For example, you might be expecting something from me, but I have no idea about it, and I might not fulfil your expectations. That’s why be amazing in your present moment. Do whatever you’re doing amazingly. Whether you’re just lying down, having a conversation, or enjoying a delicious Newari meal, savour the moment. Whatever you’re doing, be amazing, and you’ll find grace in your life.
Q: You’ve given motivational speeches to sales executives. Do you think the same applies to business?
A: You’re in the business of life. In the business of life, groups of people have to do their jobs, fulfill their responsibilities amazingly, and every cog in the entire giant clock matters.
Q: As a traveller, what amazing things have you experienced?
A: During my travels, I’ve encountered diverse people, societies, cultures, languages, and religions, each celebrating and living life in unique ways. This has given me hope that life can be lived in various ways, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. My way has worked for me, but I can learn from others’ ways and interpret them.
Q: Can you share some striking experiences?
A: There have been so many unique experiences. When I visited Nepal, even in just two days, I noticed many interesting things. Imagine the city: I didn’t see a single person travelling without a helmet, and I didn’t hear a single honk. I was amazed by the discipline of the people here. Nobody was speeding. People were living happy lives amidst tradition. We make the moment beautiful, and others are also doing things beautifully. As I’ve travelled, I’ve observed other ways of living, eating and doing business, and I’ve learned a lot from them.
Q: You’ve delivered a motivational speech about making each day extraordinary. Do you think everyone has the luxury to make every day extraordinary?
A: No one wants a boring day for themselves. Your day isn’t ordinary because new things happen every day, and there’s no repetition. That’s why each day is extraordinary for everyone.