Nikita Dutta primarily works in Hindi films and television. After participating in Femina Miss India 2012, she made her acting debut with the romantic drama Lekar Hum Deewana Dil (2014). Dutta made her television debut with Dream Girl (2015) and achieved recognition with Ek Duje Ke Vaaste (2016). She returned to films with the sports drama Gold (2018) and then appeared in the romantic hit Kabir Singh (2019). Dutta has since played the leading lady in The Big Bull and Dybbuk (both 2021), and the web series Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022). She also appeared opposite Neil Bhoopalam in Zoya Akhtar’s segment of the anthology film Lust Stories, which received positive reviews. Her latest film, Jewel Thief – The Heist Begins, did not receive critical appreciation and wasn’t commercially successful either. Excerpts: Nikita, you’ve come a long way, making your presence felt on both the small and big screen. After Gold, it was like you struck gold. It’s not been an easy journey. Comment? I don’t know how else to put it—you said it quite nicely. I think we’re all trying to make our presence felt in whatever we do. And the fact that I spoke to you back in my television days and now again tells me it’s been a good journey. I’ve been working all these years, and some recognition has finally come my way. It’s been very adventurous—an incredible experience. I’ve learned more from the phases where things didn’t work out than the ones that did. Also, with the advent of OTT, it’s been professionally happening for actors and technicians alike. How do you look at the advent of OTT? OTT has definitely made it easier to switch between mediums. Back in 2018–2019, when I made my first shift, it wasn’t so smooth. OTT hadn’t boomed like it did post-lockdown. Post-COVID, everything shifted, and suddenly people preferred watching content at home. Before that, the transition wasn’t easy, honestly. Was the transition from TV to films tough? Absolutely. I did face issues with typecasting—being seen only as a TV actor. The transitioning phase was tough. But Kabir Singh helped shift people’s perception. After that, I noticed people started seeing me as an actor, not just a television actor. How have you reinvented yourself and your craft with every project? Our medium gives us a lot of time, and workshops can help—but being in front of the camera daily is what really shapes you. My time in television trained me. It helped me understand camera angles, lighting, and technicalities that should become second nature. Once that’s internalized, you can focus fully on the performance. It’s like learning a dance—you improve with practice. You didn’t hesitate to do a cameo in Lust Stories. Why? I did it because I wanted to be on that set. Even for Waking of Nation, the experience was different—it was shot like theatre. I’m always looking to learn and improve myself. It wouldn’t be too much to compare you with yesteryear star Mumtaz. Like her, your cameos led to prominence. If you’re going to say it that way, I’m more than happy. I’d take that comparison with a lot of respect—and responsibility. You were compared with Tripti Dimri after Kabir Singh. How do you view competition? Early on in my career, someone told me to chase experience and growth—not fame. That’s what I’ve stuck to. Fame may be short-lived, but credibility in your craft sustains you. I’d always choose to be a “lambi race ka ghoda” and keep working. How was your experience working on Jewel Thief? It was amazing. I got to work with actors like Saif, Jaideep [Ahlawat], and Kunal [Kapoor]—all so seasoned. Watching them up close, learning from their process—it was a different world altogether. What was your takeaway working with Jaideep Ahlawat and Saif Ali Khan? Jaideep is so calm on set, but when the camera rolls, he transforms. It’s incredible. Saif, on the other hand, brings humour and lightness—something we all need in a stressful job like this. I wish I had some of that wit! How do you handle the not-so-great reviews for Jewel Thief? I mean, some people look for logic in films—this isn’t one of those. I’m enjoying the fact that people are watching it and having fun. Reviews don’t bother me. It’s a light, fictional story—perfect for unwinding after a long day. Not everything needs to be taken seriously.
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