Meet Nidhi Singh and she comes across someone who is intelligent, observant and focused. Not so gregarious, her quiet demeanour is an alibi for her innate ambitious desire to touch great heights of success and popularity. And she is perfectly sailing on the right path…
Arguably the first digital star of the country, in its true sense, Nidhi redefined web entertainment space with her immaculate performance in Permanent Roommates.
A queen of web, soon she will weave magic on 70mm as well. Here’s Nidhi shares about her life and career journey exclusively with IWMBuzz.com. Excerpts:
To begin with, how does it feel to be a digital star?
Digital star… I don’t know what that means. Yes, the space and love that I have received, and we have received as a team has been overwhelming. It acts as a motivation to do better and better. Yes, validation really counts and should never be taken for granted.
From an advertising professional to winning hearts on the internet to featuring in Bollywood films…your journey is inspiring. How has it been for you?
It’s been nothing more than a roller-coaster for sure, because a lot of emotions, lot of disappointments, tears, sweat and blood have been part of it. But it’s all worth it. All of it together is making up for a good future as well. When I was in advertising, I was very grateful for the opportunities that I got that time. I got to work with one of the best brains in business. And today, they all are big filmmakers. I saw and observed them at a very young age, be it Balki, Shoojit Sarcar. After that, I wanted to be closer to the camera and explore how things would unfold. Slowly, I started doing theatre, and one thing lead to the other.
To continue, when Permanent Roommates happened, and after working as an Assistant Director, I realized that I wanted to give my 100 percent to my whole dream of being an actor. Season 2 and later on the films have all been one step at a time. Everyday has to be counted and taken seriously. So it has been one day at a time for me.
How different is working on the big screen compared to web?
Mainly, when I was a part of Permanent Roommates, script was also evolving. To the contrary, in the film the script is bound and decided. Besides this, everything is exactly the same. Process, prep work execution, the experience is very similar.
So, is web your convenient medium of expression as an artist?
I can’t use the word convenient. Each and every medium has its challenges. So, no specific choice as such.
Permanent Roommates catapulted you to new heights of popularity… any special memories to share? Also…what do you attribute Permanent Roommate’s success to?
My most special memory was when the cast and crew discussed, sat together and spent time. The process of actually creating something. We are like a family, and it was fun with them. Whenever we meet, it is great to simply be with them. Most of my fun memories have been in the middle of my shoots. I have vivid memories when Sameer was directing us; he’s such a passionate person when at work.
Continue…
The plot is still so relevant and people keep revisiting it. I get messages from people saying that they are watching it for the sixth time or seventh time. That’s the beauty of the digital work, they can either visit or revisit whenever they want. The other things would be that whenever I read a script, I always read it as an audience. I have very limited knowledge of how a thing will work. So for me, when I read a script, I first visit it as a viewer. If it interests me, I feel like doing it. This factor of getting excited was there when I was reading the script of Permanent Roommates. It was so refreshing, touching, so close to life that it was amazing. I think this is one of the biggest factors for its success.
You recently won an award at the IWM Digital Awards… were you elated?
Lovely, it was. It’s sitting right in front of me (the trophy). Feels good to be awarded. When Permanent Roommates came, people used to talk a lot about us being a good couple (She and Sumeet Vyas: on screen chemistry). It feels great to be awarded for our work. I hope there are many more to come. Humbling to be nominated and awarded, especially when fellow nominees were so good.
(Nidhi and Sumeet Best Jodi award)
Do you feel that web entertainment will eventually take over television and theater models of content consumption?
No, I don’t think so. Everything has its own space and audience. Theatre is group experience, TV is family experience and web is in solo and group both, but mostly solo.
Ever fancy playing a Naagin on TV?
(Laughs) I don’t think so. I think I am not the best girl for the job.
How do you keep yourself updated as a performer?
I try and read many scripts. You have to see everything as a new beginning. My view is to unlearn everything, learn and re-learn again. Freshness brings variety. I like to start from a clean slate.
Actor you look up to…
Well… Meryl Streep and Amitabh Bachchan.
When not busy working…how do you unwind?
I love spending time with my family. I like to travel as well.
As a woman and a citizen of this country…what are your thoughts on the rising rate of crime against women in India?
I just feel really angry. From the time I was born till now, I have seen so many incidents. Crime gets more and more brutal, and reactions get loud and emotional. But nothing concrete is happening. Society is getting more and more numb. The government and lawmakers need to take strict actions. I feel the change begins at home, we need to respect women, society needs to stand for women. In general, I feel a woman should be respected.
Any final thoughts for your fans…
I love them and I feel grateful to them. I am thankful. Continue to please support and love me and I will always do my best to entertain you.
