Nikki Tamboli signs Raghava Lawrence\'s film

After having been part of a handful of South movies, Nikki Tamboli has signed her next film with Raghava Lawrence. The actress is excited about collaborating with the director for the second time after Kanchana.

“I can’t wait to begin to work for Lawrence sir’s film. The script was so amazing that I wanted to thank him for choosing me,” Nikki says, adding that she would commence shooting when things settle down with regard to the health scenario. “The South is where I started my career, and the scripts I have been getting to be part of are exciting,” she says. While she is tight-lipped about her role in the new movie, the actress says she has already begun prepping for it.

Nikki Tamboli

Challenging in more ways than one

Nikki is recently back from Cape Town, after shooting for the adventure reality television series, Khatron Ke Khiladi 11. She says being part of the show was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. “In the show, I have done things that I do not get to do in real life. It was such an amazing experience, and was also an eye-opener for me in terms of how I see life,” Nikki shares.

“When I was part of the Bigg Boss 14, I had to pretend; I was apprehensive about doing certain tasks but I didn’t show it. But while doing Khatron…, I realised that I have to be myself and not try emulating somebody else,” explains the Thipparaa Meesam star, adding that she also realised the importance of being open to learning.

“Even though people branded me as being scared of certain things in the show, I was OK with it because I believe no one is a born genius. Everyone will acquire skills over a period of time,” she says.  

A day before she was scheduled to leave for Cape Town in May, Nikki lost her brother Jatin Tamboli to Covid-19. The loss has hit her family hard. “We couldn’t process the news,” says Nikki. “I had to gather strength from within and move on with a heavy heart.”

‘My heart was at home’

Revealing that she did find it a challenge to focus on the show in the face of such a big personal tragedy, the Kanchana 3 star said she may have been physically present at the shoot, but her heart was always at her home with her parents. “At times, I used to get depressed remembering my brother and feel unable to move on.”

She was criticised for going ahead with the show despite her brother’s loss. But Nikki had realised that in life one has to move on, and be happy about the things one has, instead of going into a shell.

“Moreover, it was my brother’s wish to see me in the show. We had discussed it a lot before he was hospitalised. He was so excited about it. I wanted to make him happy, wherever he is,” the actress shares, adding that it was difficult to leave for Cape Town at that point, but her parents too encouraged her to go.