Siddharth Nigam, one of the most popular young actors in the Hindi television industry, has always impressed fans with his talent and charming screen presence. Known for his memorable roles in shows like Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Chandra Nandini, and Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga, Siddharth also left a lasting mark on the big screen as a child actor in Aamir Khan’s Dhoom 3. However, his journey in Bollywood hasn’t been all smooth, as recently revealed by his mother in an emotional interview.
Siddharth Nigam’s Missed Opportunity in ‘Azaad’
In 2025, Siddharth Nigam was offered a significant opportunity to play the lead role in the film Azaad. The movie, which eventually released on January 17, 2025, starred Ajay Devgn, Diana Penty, and newcomers Aaman Devgn (Ajay Devgn’s nephew) and Rasha Thadani (daughter of Raveena Tandon). For Siddharth, this film was supposed to be his big break in Bollywood, giving him the launchpad he deserved. Unfortunately, things didn’t go as planned.
Siddharth Nigam’s Mom Shares Her Disappointment
In a recent interview with Instant Bollywood, Siddharth Nigam’s mother shared her painful experience of seeing her son replaced by a star kid. She said that she accompanied Siddharth for the initial meeting, where the entire script of Azaad was narrated to them. She was confident that the film would be a great opportunity for her son.
She recalled, “I took him along for the meeting. The entire script was narrated, and we waited for a year. I was happy because the film was good, and Siddharth would have had a strong launch in Bollywood. I really loved the script. But suddenly, after two years, Siddharth showed me the poster of Azaad and said, ‘Mum, this has been released, and these are the people in the film.’ Then we saw that the film starred Ajay Devgn’s nephew and Rasha. For the first time in my life, I felt bad. When things like this happen, as a mother, it hurts. Then I realised both of them were star kids, and that made all the difference.”
The Pain of Nepotism
Siddharth’s mother’s words show the harsh reality many talented actors face in Bollywood, where star kids often get the opportunities that outsiders struggle for. Her honesty reflects the pain of a parent who sees her child being left out despite his talent and hard work.
Siddharth Nigam’s Mature Response
After his mother shared her heartbreak, Siddharth himself opened up about the incident. He expressed that he does not blame anyone in the industry because it works on its own terms. He acknowledged that sometimes things just don’t work out, and it’s important to move on rather than dwell on the setback.
Siddharth said, “There’s no one to blame. This is the business industry, so there’s no point in asking why they did it — they must have had their own reasons. It’s more of a personal realisation and pain. You get your hopes up thinking something might work out. We wait for an entire year, and then we see the teaser. So after watching it, we just thought, ‘Oh, okay. Let’s move on.’”
His response shows his maturity and understanding of how the industry works, even if it sometimes means losing out on big opportunities.
Siddharth’s First Bollywood Experience
Interestingly, Siddharth Nigam had a memorable debut in Bollywood as a child actor in Aamir Khan’s blockbuster film Dhoom 3. In an old interview with Hindustan Times, Siddharth shared how he got the role unexpectedly. He recalled receiving a call from Shanoo Sharma, a casting director at Yash Raj Films. Siddharth and his family initially thought the call might be fake or a scam.
He said, “When Yash Raj (Films) called me, Shanoo ma’am (casting director Shanoo Sharma) called me, we were scared. We had nobody in Mumbai where they were calling us. Where will we go? I literally wondered if it was a fake call. I am a Crime Patrol and Savdhaan India audience. I thought Mumbai bula ke bech diya to dikkat ho jayegi. I genuinely had no idea what Yash Raj Films is and who Shanoo ma’am is.”
Conclusion
Siddharth Nigam’s story is a reminder of the struggles that many talented actors face in the competitive world of Bollywood. Despite facing setbacks like losing out on Azaad to a star kid, Siddharth’s mature attitude and resilience show his commitment to his craft. His mother’s emotional revelation highlights the challenges of navigating an industry where family connections often open doors, leaving deserving talents waiting on the sidelines. However, Siddharth’s journey also inspires others to keep working hard and never give up on their dreams.