After spending years in the UK, Niki Aneja Walia is back in India for good and taking on more acting assignments, with a focus on films and OTT. Last seen in Bhai Tera Star Hai, she is keen to explore roles that allow her to move beyond the preconceived image associated with her. Her first stint in Bollywood, however, did not unfold as she had hoped.

Niki, who made her acting debut with Mr Azaad before walking away from films, recalls, “I chose to give up films and move to TV for personal reasons. I never felt comfortable in the film industry because, back then, the casting couch used to give me the creeps. So, apart from the MD comparison, my biggest challenge was compromising. I refused to do it. I am not selling my soul to earn an audience. I want to wake up and love who I see in the mirror.”

Walking away came at a professional cost. The actress, who has been part of several TV shows, including Baat Ban Jaye, Sea Hawks, Dastaan, Samandar, Gharwaali Uparwaali, Astitva...Ek Prem Kahani and Dil Sambhal Jaa Zara, says, “I paid a price for being honest. When I moved away, I had spoken about a filmmaker, and I don’t think the industry took too kindly to my honesty. I had been asked to go out for dinners with distributors, and when I refused, I was not treated well on the sets the following day. There were pleasant experiences with other makers too, but somewhere deep inside, I felt I could not continue. I chose conscience over a successful movie career.”

The comparison with Madhuri Dixit also came into play when Anubhav Sinha was casting Gulaab Gang. Having worked with the director before, Niki approached him because she really wanted to play the character eventually portrayed by Juhi Chawla.

She shares, “I have worked with Anubhav a lot, and he is like a brother to me. So, I reached out to him when he was casting for Gulaab Gang because I really wanted to play the character eventually portrayed by Juhi Chawla. He said, ‘Main toh Madhuri ko le raha hoon, do-do Madhuri mere frame mein kya karengi.’”

She admits that being compared to Madhuri has always flattered her, but she draws the line at comparisons that diminish her own identity and work as an actor.

She says, “In films, I have always been compared to Madhuri Dixit. I have had fans write to me that if it was not for her, I would have had a more successful career. Personally, I have felt so flattered every time someone has said I resemble Madhuri Dixit. But one thing I don’t understand is, what’s ‘Gareebon ki Madhuri Dixit’? I find it very derogatory.”