Well-known actor Siddharth Nigam was initially set to play a lead in the upcoming 2025 film Azaad, but after an extended delay, Ajay Devgn‘s nephew Aaman Devgn took his place in the project, leading to emotional reflections from both Siddharth and his mother. The decision has sparked discussions about opportunities in Bollywood, with Siddharth Nigam’s mom candidly sharing her family’s experience and the disappointment they faced after a long anticipation for Siddharth’s big launch, placing a spotlight on how Ajay Devgn’s nephew replaced Siddharth Nigam in Azaad.
Long Wait for a Promising Bollywood Break
Siddharth Nigam has built a reputation in the Hindi television industry, starring in popular serials such as Chakravartin Ashoka Samrat, Chandra Nandini, and Aladdin – Naam Toh Suna Hoga. Siddharth made his notable film debut as a child actor in Aamir Khan’s Dhoom 3, but the chance to enter Bollywood as a lead loomed larger with the announcement of Azaad, a film scheduled for release in January 2025. The cast features Ajay Devgn, Diana Penty, debutants Aaman Devgn and Rasha Thadani—daughter of veteran actress Raveena Tandon.
According to Siddharth’s mother, the initial excitement about Azaad was high. She accompanied Siddharth to script narration meetings, and the family was told the project would go forward with Siddharth in a leading role. However, after nearly two years of anticipation, they were surprised to discover that the launch date had arrived—with Ajay Devgn’s nephew and Rasha Thadani now presented in lead roles instead.
“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.”
—Siddharth Nigam’s mom
Personal Reactions and Coping with Disappointment
When news of the replacement became public, the emotional effect on Siddharth and his family was significant. Siddharth’s mother openly admitted that seeing her son miss such a vital opportunity caused her genuine pain, especially recognizing that both Aaman Devgn and Rasha Thadani come from established cinema families.
Siddharth Nigam spoke out soon after, addressing the disappointment but refusing to assign blame for the decision. Instead, he reflected on the realities of the film industry, stating that decisions about casting are often out of an individual’s control.
“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.’”
—Siddharth Nigam
For Siddharth, this experience represented both a professional setback and a moment of personal growth. While describing an initial sense of being broken by the discovery, he openly shared his resolve to accept the turn of events and progress in his career and personal life.
Early Breakthrough in Dhoom 3 and Reflections on the Journey
Siddharth Nigam’s journey in entertainment began at a young age when he landed a role as a child actor in Aamir Khan’s film Dhoom 3. He has since highlighted how unusual and unfamiliar the experience was for his family, who had no prior connections with the Mumbai film industry. The opportunity presented itself unexpectedly, with the family unsure whether to trust the offer when it first arrived.
“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.”
—Siddharth Nigam
This reflection on his initial entry into Bollywood highlights the hurdles faced by newcomers from outside the industry’s established circles. Siddharth’s early career break was unconventional, suggesting that while some opportunities can seem out of reach, determination and a bit of luck can still open important doors.
The Ongoing Challenge of Breaking Into Bollywood for Newcomers
The incident has reignited conversations about how aspiring actors, particularly those without family ties in Bollywood, often confront unique challenges. In Siddharth’s situation, the anticipation for a lead role in a major film like Azaad represented years of hard work and hope, only to be upended as influential insiders’ relatives were chosen instead.
Key figures in this account include Ajay Devgn, whose nephew Aaman Devgn benefitted from the change in casting, and Raveena Tandon’s daughter Rasha Thadani, both of whom were given their debut in Azaad. For Siddharth Nigam and his mother, the experience has served as a difficult reminder of how industry dynamics often prioritize “star kids,” raising important questions about equal access and fairness for all aspiring artists.
Significance and What Lies Ahead
For Siddharth Nigam and his supporters, the revelation about Ajay Devgn’s nephew replacing Siddharth in Azaad is more than a personal disappointment—it casts light on industry practices and the broad emotional effects on those hoping for big breaks. In the future, Siddharth may draw on the resilience he demonstrated after his debut in Dhoom 3 and focus on identifying new opportunities, continuing his journey in both television and cinema.
As Bollywood continues to evolve and public conversations around equitable opportunity become more prominent, stories like Siddharth’s are likely to play a key role in shaping expectations and encouraging a re-examination of how casting decisions are made. For now, both industry insiders and audiences alike are watching closely to see how talents like Siddharth Nigam find their next path forward amid these turbulent and emotional industry realities.
