‘Travelled by local train on Rs 50 pocket money for auditions but never faced any casting couch,’ says Nikki Tamboli on her initial struggles in showbiz

By Vandana Srivastawa

on April 29, 2021 05:42:43 PM

Former Bigg Boss 14 contestant Nikki Tamboli has said that she never faced any ‘casting couch’ experience during her tough period of struggle in the entertainment industry. In a recent interview, she said that Bigg Boss 14 proved a turning point for her and gave her more exposure than her stint in the South Indian film industry. Nikki said that she never took ‘any other route’ to success. When asked whether anyone propositioned her or made an ‘indecent proposal’, Nikki told a leading daily, “No, never. I did not face any casting couch. Despite facing rejections, I did not give in or take any other route. I was always open to face rejections. I took it in a positive stride."

Talking about her struggle period, Nikki revealed that her mother used to give her Rs 50 as pocket money every day which she would use for travelling from Dombivli to Andheri for auditions. Elaborating further, she said, “I would travel by train and then would take an auto-rickshaw to travel for auditions and look tests. There was no day that I would not get rejected. Everyday I would face rejection and the first two years were very difficult as I faced a lot of rejections. When I was 19, 20 I faced rejections. When I turned 20 I signed my south film and by the time I was 23, I had done three south films. I would go to different production houses everyday for auditions and they would reject me saying you can’t talk, smile, dance, or act."

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However, Nikki said that her family, especially her mother supported her the most and said, “Initially, I did not get any appreciation. But I always trusted myself and my family was very supportive, they believed in me. More than myself, my mom believed in me. She pushed me to participate in Miss India but I couldn’t get through because I fell short of the height requirement. I believe in destiny because I lost out on good things but it worked in my favour as I got to do three south films. I worked with south filmmaker Raghava Lawrence sir and Kanchana 3 was my biggest break that I did. I just trusted God’s plan for me.”

Nikki bagged the second runner-up spot at Bigg Boss 14, whereas the trophy was won by Rubina Dilaik and Rahul Vaidya came first runner-up.

(Source: TOI)