Meeting Niharika NM is like being in an explosion of positive energy. Her breezy smile adds to the freshness, and the positivity extends to her work. Mithra Mandali, an upcoming Telugu film directed by Vijayender S, might be her debut vehicle in showbiz, but she’s already a social media star commanding a huge following. In fact, one of the reasons filmmakers cast her was because of her expressive side and the quirky videos she creates. To encapsulate, Niharika is a fresh twist to the archetypal or actresses coming from social media patronage.

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Showbiz wasn’t a calculated move
Being on film sets is liberating
Films, an extension of personality
‘My guy should be the exact opposite’

Showbiz wasn’t a calculated move

Although Niharika is constantly flooded with film scripts, Mithra Mandali is the first story she heard two years ago. She gives us a backstory of how it all happened. “The director thought I was an NRI and he got a translator alongside to narrate the story to me in English,” she laughs off. “I told him that I am a Telugu girl, much to his surprise. He then started narrating the story in Telugu, and after five minutes he switched back to English. I had to interrupt him again reminding him that I know Telugu. Many filmmakers don’t know that I come from a Telugu background.”

According to her, she was in splits throughout the story narration. The quirkiness, versatility and a layered-character was the clincher for her, and she couldn’t have asked for a better debut. Ask Niharika whether acting is a natural progression from social media, she replies that getting into showbiz wasn’t a calculated move. “The character in Mithra Mandali was like an extension of her personality. I like the dual nature of my character and it’s one of the roles I like to play on screen.”

Being on film sets is liberating

Niharika has a film degree. Before making her film debut, she also hosted television shows. Although she’s not new to the camera, being on the sets was a touch nervous, initially. “That’s because my wildest dream that I haven’t dreamt of came true, so it was overwhelming. Acting in front of 100’s of people on the sets was edgy. But after I started to enjoy the process of filmmaking my respect for the craft grew.”

As a social media star, Niharika creates her own content and connects to the audiences in her usual typical humorous style. She is her own boss. But on the film sets, she has to follow the director’s vision. Did that change the way she is? “That’s the biggest difference I had to adapt to. When I create content on social media, I am everything. But when I saw so many people on the sets and the kind of efforts that go into filmmaking, it was truly liberating.”

Films, an extension of personality

Niharika was born in Chennai and raised in Bengaluru; she is pursuing MBA and lives in Mumbai. But her parents are from Vijayawada (Andhra Pradesh). Ask her how it’s like making her film debut in her own mother tongue, she shares, ‘very exciting.’ “I have done several comic stuff on social media, and the film is a comic caper too. So, I felt my character was natural and not different from who I am. It didn’t feel out of touch.” Mithra Mandali is a confusion comedy produced by Kalyan Manthina, Bhanu Pratapa and Dr Vijayender Reddy Teegala is slated for release on October 16. She describes the film as a light-hearted narrative that expounds friendship and the extent one can go for love.

As a social media star, Niharika received a lot of attention from the audiences. But as an actress, she says life is interesting. The number of people she sees and talks to on the sets daily is crazy. “I am yet to figure out how to describe life but I want to do well. I want to make filmmakers proud for choosing me, so yes, there’s pressure to perform and seek validation.”

‘My guy should be the exact opposite’

The actress enjoyed the transformative journey on the film sets — from being a social media star to an actress. Describing the metamorphosis as ‘insightful,’ Niharika points out how she understood the technical aspects of filmmaking. “As an actor, I had to focus on one thing. But I also realized how significant are other aspects that go into facing the camera like Lightning, etc.”

For someone who is new to the industry, Niharika is trying to adjust to the dynamics of showbiz— chaotic schedules, uncertain itineraries, etc. “It’s definitely a challenge to navigate. Earlier I used to be disappointed with the inconvenience, now I realise the magnitude of work the crew has to put in.” But having got so much love and support on social media, what is she looking forward to in her film stint? “Even if I get 10 percent of that love, I will be the happiest. I only hope the audiences continue to support my efforts.”

Away from arch lights…most of the comments in her videos are in praise of her beauty and of course, love proposals too. While many guys chase Niharika, we ask what’s her turn on in a man? “A guy who is exactly opposite of me,” she smiles. “I want the guy to be calm and composed. And doesn’t that make for a great balance,” she signs off with a grin.

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