Aaryan Sigdel

Harish Sigdel, widely known by his stage name Aaryan Sigdel  is a celebrated Nepalese actor recognized for his powerful performances and wide range of roles in Nepali cinema. Born on 5 August 1981, though some records cite 1984, Aaryan has become a prominent figure in the film industry, earning critical acclaim and a large fan following over the years.

Aaryan began his film journey with the 2007 hit movie Kismat, where he starred alongside well-known actors Biraj Bhatta and Rekha Thapa. Directed by Ujwal Ghimire, the film was not only the highest-grossing film of that year but also earned a National Film Award, immediately catapulting him into the spotlight. This marked the beginning of a promising acting career.

However, it was his performance in the 2009 romantic drama Mero Euta Saathi Chha that truly defined his image in the industry. In this film, he played the role of Jay Shamsher Junga Bahadur Rana, a young, arrogant, spoiled royal who undergoes a deep emotional transformation. The film, inspired by the Korean blockbuster A Millionaire’s First Love, resonated well with the audience. Aaryan’s emotionally rich performance was highly praised, and the success of the movie made him a household name in Nepal. It also cemented his identity as a leading romantic hero in the industry.

Aaryan’s early life began in Gothikada, a village in the Surkhet district of western Nepal. When he was still a child, his family moved to Thankot, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, where he spent most of his formative years. A dedicated student, he initially studied at Dipendra Police School and later completed his schooling at Mangloday High School. For higher education, he enrolled in Birendra Sainik Awasiya Mahavidyalaya in Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, and later joined Ratna Rajya Laxmi Campus in Kathmandu. Although academically strong, his growing interest in acting led him to drop out of college before graduating. His passion for performing brought him to Pariwartan Nepal, a respected theater group, where he honed his acting skills by participating in various street dramas, gaining real-world experience on stage.

The momentum continued into 2010, which became a landmark year in Aaryan’s career. He appeared in six films that year, a rare feat in the Nepali film industry. Among these, Hifajat, opposite Rekha Thapa, and First Love, a youthful ensemble romantic film, were both widely successful. Another standout that year was The Flash Back: Farkera Herda, where he starred alongside Nikhil Upreti and Yuna Upreti. However, not all of his films that year were hits. Kohi Mero and Bandhi did not perform well at the box office. But the year ended on a high note with Kasle Choryo Mero Man, which again paired him with Rekha Thapa. This film shattered box office records and became one of the biggest blockbusters in Nepali cinema history.

Throughout his career, Aaryan’s on-screen pairing with Rekha Thapa remained one of the most talked-about collaborations in the industry. Despite frequent rumors of disagreements or a possible fallout between the two, their chemistry was so admired that many compared them to other legendary Nepali on-screen couples like Rajesh Hamal & Karishma Manandhar and Nikhil Upreti & Arunima Lamsal. Their collaborations consistently drew audiences to theaters.

While many of his films are titled in English, reflecting a modern, urban style, Aaryan has occasionally faced criticism for being too selective in his script choices. In a smaller industry like Nepal’s, where fewer films are produced each year, this level of selectivity has sometimes been seen as a risk. Still, it also reflects his dedication to maintaining quality and protecting his image as a serious actor.

Aaryan Sigdel has been long regarded as one of the highest-paid actors in Nepal. His ability to draw audiences and deliver emotional, convincing performances has kept him in high demand. His 2011 film K Yo Maya Ho, directed by Sudarshan Thapa (who also directed Mero Euta Saathi Chha), opened strongly at the box office and reaffirmed his status as a romantic lead.

In 2013, he reunited with his original producer, Chhabi Raj Ojha, for the film Loafer. Despite the anticipation, the film was a box office failure. Another film released that year, Dabaab, also struggled to leave a mark. These back-to-back disappointments led to speculation about whether Aaryan’s career might be fading.

But in 2014, he made a powerful comeback with the film November Rain, a romantic drama directed by Dinesh Raut, who had previously worked with him on I Am Sorry. The film was both a critical and commercial success, marking a significant turning point in his career. It not only re-established his stardom but also proved his resilience and ability to reinvent himself even after a series of underperforming projects.