Nidhi Shah, who is widely loved for her portrayal of Kinjal in the popular television series Anupamaa, took a short break from the small screen and is now preparing for her return with an OTT project. In a candid interview with India Forums, the actress opened up about her alleged rift with co-star Rupali Ganguly, her decision to step away from television, and several other intriguing aspects of her career. Here is a detailed look at her revelations.
Nidhi Shah on TV Actors Struggling to Find Work on Other Platforms
The actress expressed her pride in being part of the television industry. She stated, "I have been a part of television, and I am very proud of it. It is an amazing platform to start with, and it continues to thrive because the audience it reaches is immense, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. People watch television daily, and they are more familiar with TV actors than any other performers. So, the medium is huge and, respectfully, amazing. However, to each their own. There could be various reasons for the lack of opportunities on other platforms. From what I have observed, some OTT production houses or casting directors prefer fresh faces. They want new talent that brings something different to the table. I believe that could be another contributing factor."
Struggling to Get OTT Work Despite Anupamaa Fame
Nidhi shared how her iconic role as Kinjal in Anupamaa has sometimes hindered her from securing roles on other platforms. She explained, "Yes, people know me primarily as Kinjal's character, which became extremely popular and still is. Sometimes, it happens that casting professionals say, 'You have done television and played this particular character,' making it difficult for them to envision me in a completely different role. They cannot see past that image. So, yes, it does have an impact."
Reflecting on Her Early Career Days
The actress mentioned that she often looks back at her past and feels proud of her journey. She said, "I sit in one place and look at my past, asking myself, 'How did we do?' I think we did well, and we still have a lot to achieve. I just need to be patient now and work harder. It has been a fantastic journey so far."
When Her Anupamaa Role Became a 'Roadblock'
When asked if her popularity from Anupamaa ever became a hurdle for other projects, Nidhi agreed. She stated, "Sometimes, when you give auditions or are considered for a character, they feel you are too familiar or too famous for a particular role. They say, 'She has been seen a lot on TV as a certain character, so we do not want to cast her. We want someone experienced but not too well-known.' So, yes, that happens somewhere."
On Her Exit from Anupamaa
Nidhi revealed that she left the show on good terms. She said, "I ended it on a very good note, and there are no regrets. It is just that sometimes you feel that if there was more time, it would have been even more enjoyable. I made a family there, and it was amazing."
Nidhi Reveals She Was Almost Cast as Tulsi's Daughter in Kyunki
The actress shared an interesting piece of information about her early career. She said, "I was going to play Tulsi ji's daughter. Somehow, it did not work out, so we had to part ways. Obviously, Smriti ji is an icon. When I was a kid, actually a baby, I used to watch Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi with my family. I still remember those times. Her return to television is a big thing."
Addressing the Rift with Rupali Ganguly
Nidhi addressed the alleged rift with Rupali Ganguly and spoke about their bond. She said, "See, when you work with so many people, it is like a family. So, misunderstandings, miscommunication, your point of view, someone else's point of view—it is not necessary that they always match. Every individual has their own opinion and perspective. So, there is a little bit of banter that happens."
