Soham Siddhid is just 11, but he is already a big star with a fan following. His performances in popular Odia TV serials Rani, Tejaswini, Rajakanya, Swabhiman, Durga, AmaGharaLakhmiand JibanaSathihave brought him accolades. Besides, critics have been all praise for his acting skills in the movies Love Pain KuchBhiKarega, Shakti and Sathi Tu Pheria.
However, the route to fame was not easy for young Soham. It was after three years of doing the rounds of shooting sets of many movies and daily soaps that he finally bagged a goodrole.
Soham says, “I am a diehard fan of Odia superstar Anubhav Mohanty. Once day, Anubhav uncle was shooting for his movie Matric Fail near our home inCDA. I approached him and asked, ‘I am interested in acting. Is there any rolefor me?’ He replied, ‘First you show me somedance steps.’ After watching me dance to the popular number from BalungaToka in which he featured, he said, ‘If you have talent, nobody can stop you from becoming a star.’ I took his advice seriously and never gave up. One day, I went to meet the assistant director of the tele soap RajakanyainCDA where shooting was in progress. Actually, I visited the sets a couple of times and built up a good rapport with the technicians and other crew members. When I approached the assistant director, he wasimpressed by my efforts and asked me for some photos. Then I got a call from the director to essay the child’s character in the serial.”
Son of advocate Soumen Kumar and Jayshree Behera, Soham became a household name after he played the character of Raja in the daily soap Rani aired on Tarang channel. “Wherever I go, people call me Raja instead of Soham. I played the character of Raja who got married to Rani in his childhood. I literally cried when my mother sent me abroad for higher studies leaving Rani inthe village. I felt as if I wasleaving one of my dear ones to settle down somewhere else. The scene brought tears to my eyes.”
The Class VI student of Acheeles Public School says, “The Raja character was close to my heart. When it comes to movies, I love my character in Love Pain KuchBhiKarega. I essayed the character of young Babushan. In the movie, I fall in love at the age of three and get caned by my mother for beingmischievous all the time. The shooting was a lot of fun.”
Soham remembers some memorable occasions: “I bagged the first prize in a dance competition in my school when I was only three. I jumped withjoy when I received the prize. That is a moment that I will treasure forever.”
In future, Soham would like to be an automobile engineer. “Apart from that, I would like to be a hero in South Indian films and have a large fan following.I love watching Telugu movies starring Allu Arjun, Prabhas and Ram Charan.”
Soham, who has won awards like Ommkar award, Jhankar television award and popular child artiste awardgiven by KK Productions, creditshis success to his parents.
RASHMI REKHA DAS, OP