I faced an existential crisis during pandemic: Ankit Siwach
Actor
Ankit Siwach
has debuted onto the OTT with Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs after several successful years in television. The Meerut-born actor recently unveiled his new house in Ganga Nagar, Meerut, a dream-come-true built with contributions from his entire family.
'We always lived in a government quarter. This is our first home, and everyone put in their bit to make it real,' he said.
Ankit Siwach in his news home with his family
Ankit Siwach in his new home with his family
Siwach studied at St Mary's Academy in Meerut and immersed himself in sports and cultural activities until he turned 18. He then moved to Delhi for higher studies, enrolled in DU, and completed his MBA. 'In my school days, nobody mentioned acting as a career. I once asked a career counsellor about being Mr India or the next
John Abraham
, and he told me it could only be a hobby,' he recalled.
Undeterred, he worked in a call centre, saved money for a modelling portfolio, and eventually discovered theatre. He packed his bags for Mumbai, but the transition tested him. 'I was juggling a job I didn't like, lying to my parents, and auditioning without giving 100%. I felt lost,' he admitted.
Ankit Siwach in his new home in Meerut
After a year, he confessed his ambitions to his family, who offered their full support. 'I started as an assistant director on Silvat, featuring
Kartik Aaryan
, and discovered my passion on set.
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I wanted to be part of filmmaking, even if I didn't succeed as an actor. Everything changed when I auditioned for the TV show Rishton Ka Chakravyuh where I landed the lead role, despite being a newcomer among seasoned artists,' he shared.
However, when COVID struck, Siwach faced an existential crisis. 'It was my first time sitting at home with nothing to do, and I wondered if I was actually happy,' he said. 'I then went for professional therapy, meditation, and alternate healing therapy, reiki which helped me cope with mental stress.
I also credit my wife — my childhood sweetheart whom I married in 2020—for moral and financial support. She works as a product manager and kept us going when everything shut down.
I did house chores back then. Frankly speaking, it gives me a lot of stability in life as she is in a job while I am in the field of acting. A working wife gives me the luxury of choosing my projects,' he shared.
Ankit Siwach
Eager to grow beyond television, Siwach took a three-year break from daily soaps to work on his OTT debut. 'Many web shows dropped me when they heard I was doing TV,' he revealed. 'But I took a leap of faith at 35 because I wanted to attempt something fresh.' With Kull: The Legacy of the Raisingghs, he feels his decision paid off. 'I owe everything to television, but this new journey is a dream I always chased.'
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