Background
He was born in 19 June 1962 (age 53 years) Kannur, Kerala, to Reba Vidyarthi, a Kathak dancer of Bengali origin and Govind Vidyarthi, a Malayali theatre personality from Thalassery, Kannur.
He was born in 19 June 1962 (age 53 years) Kannur, Kerala, to Reba Vidyarthi, a Kathak dancer of Bengali origin and Govind Vidyarthi, a Malayali theatre personality from Thalassery, Kannur.
He is noted for his antagonist characters. Ashish got his surname from his father, who took on the surname "Vidyarthi" as a tribute to freedom fighter Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi who died in Kanpur riots during the time of partition of India. He had a presence in the theatre circuit but he was first noticed by television audience in Sai Paranjpye comedy series Hum Panchi Ek Chawl Ke.
He started acting in minor roles in regional television serials.
Vidyarthi"s film career began with a supporting role in the Kannada Film Anand. Later, he starred with Suresh Gopi in Hijack (1991).
His break in Hindi films came with Naajayaz and Baazi.