Niharika Chouksey: Sharad Kelkar sir never made me feel like a junior

Television does not often offer actors the opportunity to move beyond familiar character templates, but Niharika Chouksey has been fortunate to play characters that are a little different from the norm.

From portraying a transgender character in Aaina to starring in the age-gap romance Tumm Se Tumm Tak, she has had the opportunity to step into worlds and experiences far removed from her own. Niharika says, “I have always played different kinds of characters that have been controversial in their own way, whether it was Aaina, Faltu or now Tumm Se Tumm Tak. In Aaina, I played a transgender character, and now people are talking about the age gap in Tumm Se Tumm Tak.

I was very excited about being part of Aaina because I was getting to play something different. Such rare and unique concepts do not come to television very often.

After the show aired, people even started calling me ‘Kinnar’ in my comment section. Playing that character made me realise how much this community has to face and how little acceptance still exists. We had real transgender people on set, and I spent a lot of time with them, learning about their lives and experiences.

That is the beauty of being an actor; getting the opportunity to live so many different lives.” In Tumm Se Tumm Tak, Niharika Chouksey stars opposite Sharad Kelkar, who is 27 years her senior. Despite having admired his work long before they became co-stars, she says there was never any intimidation. She shares, “Honestly, our bond was formed on day one itself. I never felt intimidated because I am very confident in my craft, and Sharad sir never made me feel like a junior.

We have a great understanding and constantly exchange ideas, which reflects on screen.” Away from the screen, Niharika has often found herself facing criticism on social media, sometimes even for something as simple as her choice of clothes. While the scrutiny initially affected her, she eventually learned to look at it differently. “Television heroines are portrayed in a certain way, so people often find it difficult to accept Niharika.

I am not Anu in real life, and I make sure people get to know Niharika as well.

Initially, I used to wonder why people judged and trolled so much, but then I realised they see Anu every day and are not used to seeing me outside that image. Over time, I stopped paying attention to the negativity. More than trolls, I receive a lot of love, and my fans often respond on my behalf.”