Mumbai: Niharika Chouksey, currently seen as Anu in Tumm Se Tumm Tak, treats feedback as a tool for growth rather than a source of stress. “I do read the comments. If I come across constructive criticism, I reflect on it to see where I can improve. I don’t pay attention to mindless hate or random negativity,” she said. “But if something is written with the intention of helping me grow, I absolutely take it seriously.”
Her most demanding preparation came during Faltu, where she had to learn cricket entirely from scratch. “I knew absolutely nothing about the sport. I learned how to take a stance, hold the bat — everything from the beginning, specifically for that show. I believe it really paid off because all of you gave Faltu so much love,” she shared.
Niharika also makes it a point to study her own performances, though she’s learned to give herself space before doing so. “I watch every single episode of my show. Since I’m an overthinker, I try not to watch it immediately after wrapping a shoot. I go home and put on a comedy show instead,” she said. She prefers catching her episodes while travelling or with family, finding that context far more rewarding. “Seeing their reactions is amazing. I believe every actor should watch their own work so they know where to improve.”
Sustaining consistency in a daily soap, she says, demands as much attention to self-care as it does to craft. “It’s crucial to keep both your performance and yourself fresh when you’re working around the clock. I try to eat on time, prioritize sleep — eight to nine hours — and approach every scene as if it’s a fresh one,” she explained. “In television, scenes can become monotonous due to story requirements, so ultimately it comes down to how freshly you can bring yourself to each moment.”
Looking ahead, Niharika plans to invest in formal training for the first time. “I’ve never taken acting workshops before, but after this show, I’m definitely planning to enroll in some. I want to discover more about myself as an actor, and I feel workshops will help me do exactly that,” she concluded.
