From viral internet sensation to one of South India’s most promising rising stars on a movie signing spree, Niharika NM is scripting a story of reinvention and passion. Known for her sharp humour, dynamic energy, and unfiltered authenticity, she became a household name as a digital content creator. Today, this ravishing and radiant beauty has seamlessly crossed over to the world of cinema, already carving a niche in mainstream South Indian movies. With her debut performance in Perusu that released in March already creating ripples and a slate of many exciting projects lined up, she’s here to prove her mettle.
Her creative spark that won many hearts on social media shines just as brightly on the silver screen. In this candid interview, Niharika reflects on her journey from influencer to actress, the lessons learned along the way, and the dreams she’s now nurturing to life in the film industry.
Please tell us about your growing up days?
I was born in Chennai, raised in Bangalore, and, my parents actually lived in Chennai for 15 years. Even though my roots are rooted in Andhra and Telangana, and I was born in Chennai, I spent most of my life in Bangalore, I did my schooling and my also my engineering from BMS College in Bangalore. After that, I moved abroad for my MBA and passed out two years back. I was planning to move to NYC from LA, but I came to India and never went back. I moved to Bombay and I don’t think I’m going back now with the way things are going now.
You started your content creation journey while pursuing engineering in Bangalore. What inspired you to start creating content?
Honestly, it was just something I did for kicks as a hobby. It was never something I did to make it my fulltime work. I really enjoyed being goofy, silly, making videos for my friends and family. And actually, I my first ever YouTube video was not even made for people to watch. It was just for my friends and family. I put on a closed Facebook group and, without my knowledge, my best friend Aisha uploaded it on YouTube, and I only found out when people started posting about it on my timeline, and I was like, oh my God, how did this come out. And this was when I had just started my engineering and I was about 17. So it was just for fun. There was no such thing about creating a balance between college and fun in the beginning as there was simply no pressure.
Then after it started picking up heat, I felt the need to create videos in a certain type of way, because then there were people who were watching it for me. So I was like, oh, people want to actually watch this. I soon started to feel a little pressure to upload consistently and soon there was this balancing act going on with college, attending classes and making videos. I would go to college in the morning, and after coming back home in the evening, I would write the script for my videos. I would wait for my parents to sleep because the audio cannot be interrupted and there should be no noise. So, after they went to bed, I would shoot at night and then I would get like maybe a couple of hours of sleep and then go to college again in the morning. So it was exhausting. But honestly, I was having so much fun doing it that I really started liking it.
So where did the ideas come from?
Just general everyday things. Ideas were coming out of anything and everything and everywhere. Because, what I do is mostly observational comedy. So I would pick up the smallest of observations that have happened to all of us. For isntance, like how I’m drinking this coffee now and getting lipstick stains on this cup… I could pick up this observation or something that everybody goes through everyday life, but it would probably be so mundane that you don’t pay too much attention to it. Then I would add a joke or my own twist to it or make it exaggerated and turn something simple into something funny with a little masala.
How does it feel to make your big-screen debut with Perusu? What drew you to this project?
It is the wackiest, strangest, most weird story I had ever read in my life. And I read a lot of fiction and thrillers. So when I, heard this story, I laughed because I thought they were joking. I told them there’s no way you’re actually making a film like this, because it may be a very English concept. The story of the film was so strange and I’m also strange, so I just thought we would be a perfect fit.
Can you tell us a bit about your character in Perusu? What aspects of the role excited or challenged you the most?
It’s actually an ensemble film where we have every comedian in the movie that we would have watched growing up in Tamil cinema and, it’s a total chaotic laughter riot. My parents watched the film two days ago at the screening and laughed their hearts out. It’s kind of an offbeat concept that you would shy away from taking your parents to, but I haven’t seen my parents rolling on the floor like that in a really long time. And not just scenes that had me, but even overall in general they enjoyed it so much. It’s truly a wacky comedy. It’s a dark comedy but is treated well. We’ve taken a taboo topic and treated it in a lighthearted manner keeping in mind the sensitivity and sensibility of it. And, I think we did a decent job at it, and people are watching the film and loving it, so I’m glad I did this. I feel it was only yesterday when I was making reels in my room with just me and now I’m shooting for films with a whole big crew.
Yes, it’s nice to see that Perusu is already generating a lot of buzz. How did you prepare for your role? Were there any challenges you had to face?
It was all so new to me because when I’m doing my content, it’s usually just my brain and me. I’m the writer, the videographer, the editor, makeup, hair person. Basically I do everything when I’m shooting for social media. But on the movie sets, everybody has their jobs in every division and they’re all so good at it. I have to follow somebody else’s direction and somebody else’s vision, so all this was really new. And also just being around such senior comedians who have done this for a living all their lives. Many even before I was born, so it’s just kind of crazy yet a wonderful learning experience. I was thrown into the film a day before they started filming. I had not given my dates to the producer as I had to shoot for another film. But just one day before they started filming Perusu, my other film schedule got postponed, so I picked up the phone and told them if you still need me I can come. And they were like; here are your tickets, pack your bags and come. The first day the director gave an overall brief, basically the meter of the comedy and introduced us to the rest of the cast as well. But after that, he just let us do our creative bit. Once the trailer was out, he told me to perform it how I would want to, in my own style.
You’ve embraced your South Indian roots in your work. How has your cultural background influenced your creative process? You’re known to celebrate your South Indian roots, and have a knack for turning cultural quirks into humour. Tell us more…
I’m fully influenced by my south Indian culture and where I’m from because I am a product of all of it. And the people that I grew up around and because of the mixed pot, my family and all the influences of my birthplace Chennai and my roots in Hyderabad and Bangalore where I grew up.
I think I ripped off my dad’s personality completely. Everything that he is, I just ripped off and made a career out of it. I embrace my south Indian roots because we are often made to feel like we need to shy away from it or not own up to it fully and need to be a little Western. But I refuse to be, because I’ve tried that before, and it feels like it’s a fake it till you make it. So I think the more I was able to embrace my roots, the more I was able to accept myself for who I am.
What have been some of the biggest highpoints during your journey?
My highpoints came in waves because I started really young on the internet. And I grew up on the internet. My biggest high was actually quitting YouTube, as it made me realise that my identity was attached to what I did for the longest time. And, as a teenager when I did that, it really messed with my sense of self. So when I quit YouTube I could actually see who I am and focus on my personal growth and academics too.
Then came my professional highs where my Instagram feeds during Covid hit a million in a month or so. It feels superficial now, but back then those numbers did matter and that did help with the growth. My personal favourite high was working with Mahesh Babu. When I was five, I had seen him on TV and there’s a video that I showed him where I’ve hung the TV with him on the screen and I’m saying this is my husband.
When you come from an academically oriented traditional South Indian family, you don’t have the audacity to dream outside the norms of what there is. So doing what I’m doing today is my biggest highpoint.
How was your experience guest-starring with a TV debut in Season 7 of the American adult animated Netflix series ‘Big Mouth’?
It was a star packed ensemble of celebrities that had Megan Thee Stallion, Maya Rudolph, Lupita Nyong’o, Jordan Peele, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, and Billy Porter. Jordan Peele has been one of my inspirations growing up. He’s an insane director. He’s so talented. Actually, growing up on YouTube, I watched them a lot. They have made a series of sketches under the channel name Key & Peele where Michael Key and Jordan Peele examine life through filmed sketches and live stage segments. He made this movie called Get Out, a thriller, one of my top thrillers of all time. Nick Kroll wrote it, so it was amazing.
Some of the biggest brand collaborations you loved doing?
I have had the privilege to collaborate with some of the best brands I’ve indulged in as a kid like Sprite, Coke, Apple, etc.. That something I wouldn’t say is only due to talent and hard work…it maybe a bit of both but also luck.
So now that you’re in the middle of shooting for seven films, how do you plan to continue the balancing act with your social media content creation? Also do you handle your social media yourself?
I’m really just in the middle of so much happening; I really don’t know how to balance it all. My Instagram is dry as I haven’t had the time or bandwidth to post anything creative. I’m trying to now work out a schedule of posting three to four days in a month. I’m thinking maybe I could bulk shoot my content and keep it so I can upload it regularly, because I’m very sure that I don’t want to let go of the creative side of things. I do also want to continue to be a creator because I started there. My roots are there and I don’t want to let that go. I’m hoping over this year I’ll figure out how to balance it all alongside my shoots.
Social media is proper user generated content type of platform. It is what you make of it. Some people make careers out of it and some people really destroy careers on it. So, I think it’s how you use it. Personally, I’m so glad it exists because this version of me exists because of it. I handle my social media myself as I don’t want other people to see my DMs.
What are your other passions and hobbies? Also, what do you like to do in your personal space?
Actually, growing up, I wanted to be a dancer. I trained for ten years in Kathak, but I never did anything with it because my parents said, okay, nice, cute but you have to study. I read a lot actually, a mix of fiction and not nonfiction. I read around 75 books just last year. My personal goal is to hit 100 books this year. I’m obsessed with reading. I also paint. I also like spending a lot of time alone. I love to sleep when I get time. Honestly, I’m a little lazy and I love to have some time to just be lazy, eat or just do a nice face massage or watch a good movie. Lazying around has become a luxury now. Since time is less at hand, doing nothing is very precious for me.
What are your preferred holiday destinations?
I know everybody says London is gloomy. Because I’m such a sad girl vibes, so I love being in the land of Harry Potter. As a family we would always do one cute little hill station type of a vacation to places like Kodaikanal, Ooty and Coorg where my dad would do the bonfire, my mom would cook and my brother was just useless. So it used to be a fun family trip. A good holiday for me is wherever my family takes me, because we barely get time to spend together. We also liked our trip to Jaipur and exploring all the gorgeous palaces there. I like being babied by them. Also, they live in Bangalore, so Bangalore is my vacation spot now.
My bucket list would be Greece. I also want to do Amsterdam, Netherlands, because I just did my first skydive recently and I realised I’m an adrenaline junkie. Apparently Netherlands has one of the best skydiving spots, so I want to try that for sure.
How would you like to describe your fashion statement?
For the longest time, I’ve only enjoyed comfort clothing. I’ve spent 90% of my life in my tracks because it just felt like the easiest outfit to pull out from my wardrobe. But then I realised when you wear clothes that fit you right and make you feel beautiful, your confidence is enhanced. And, I’ve really started enjoying feminine silhouettes now. Earlier it was only high-waisted cargo pants, crop tops, sweatshirts and joggers. It’s like I’ve jumped out of one Marvel phase to a feminine phase with silhouettes, floral prints and such. I used to wear only blacks, but now I’ve started enjoying colours. But I still haven’t become too adventurous with colours and still sticking to neutrals, browns and greys. I’m still not wearing very bright colours, but I’m getting there soon.
What’s your fitness and beauty regime like?
I don’t have a fixed fitness schedule yet. I try and stick to a calorie deficit diet and do a little bit of gymming so I can post a story on my socials.
I do very basic skincare. I tend to overconsume. I’m a big consumer and would end up buying all the products in the market but ending up not using any. I would buy new products thinking I’m going to try them but then I would feel I may break out and never used them. So, now I stick to a basic skincare routine that my dermatologist has suggested.
What’s the most romantic thing anyone’s ever done for you?
If someone had done something romantic for me, I would have a ring on my finger by now. The way that I can’t think of anything romantic is so sad.
How would you like to describe your dream man?
I hope my dream man is alive and can breathe and move. I have the biggest crush on Michael B. Jordan. The Nike man – Michael B. Jordan! I find him very cool. Honestly, maybe my dream man should be the opposite of my personality, so that there’s balance. Somebody who’s a little more calm and patient. If they have high levels of energy, that’s great, but I feel like the two of us together would go on and on and none of us would listen. I’m sure people around us would hate that. So, I think somebody that’s a little more sorted and put together, nice and funny. I would like my man to be funny so that I don’t have to always do it. You know, I’d like to be boring sometimes too.
Also tell us more about your three movie deal with Karthik Subbaraj’s production house, Stone Bench Films and what are the other film projects you’re working on?
I’m doing three more films with Stone bench. Stone bench is about to produce their first Telugu film and I’m so lucky to be a part of it. It may actually be one of their biggest hits. I don’t think I’m allowed to say which movie it is yet, but we’re doing it in Telugu, with another fantastic actor. Besides that we are doing two more in the comedy thriller zone with Stone bench. It is almost half done. So, hopefully by June it should roll out. I’m flying to Hyderabad next to finish the next half of the Telugu film shoot.
I’m working on seven films currently, other than Perusu that recently released in theatres. One of the three films deal with Stone Bench Productions is a rom com. I’m also doing a couple more, touching every genre possible this year. I’m trying to see how the audience can accept me in more than just a comedy space. I started with a comedy film so that I could ease into it for obvious reasons.
My next film is a movie about friendship, heartbreaks, love, one sided love, and all the emotions you go through in your college time. It’s like taking you on the journey of a bunch of kids, how they grow and evolve in terms of personal growth and relationships. So it’s a very warm, sweet film.
Rapid Fire
- Your dream role?
I want to play a psychopath or a serial killer. - Dream director?
Rajamouli. - Favourite actor and actress?
Rajinikanth & Sai Pallavi. - Your pet peeve?
So many, actually…when people breathe too loudly, when they chew too loudly, or when they spit on the road or when they snore. - Some essentials that are always in your bag?
A Kindle, a paperback book, a small little makeup touch up kit, a fan, food, chocolate and a perfume. - Yoga or gym?
Gym. - Indian food or global cuisine?
Indian. - Closest friends from the industry or outside?
Outside. - Beaches or hills?
Neither. I’m a home bird. - Veg or non-veg?
Both. - Fame or money?
Fame is a byproduct. So, money. - Indian wear or Western wear?
Indian. - Straight hair or curls?
Curls. - The last good web series you watched?
The Bear. - How would you define love?
When you don’t have a definition for it and you have those feelings you know. - First thing you notice about a person?
Their smile! If it’s not genuine I’m immediately put off. - One thing that makes you feel beautiful?
People around me. - Politics, religion, business, sports or entertainment?
Entertainment. - What’s your idea of a perfect date?
Good food. I feel when you eat with someone you can connect with them. - Your first love?
My mum. - Top three things you look for in a man?
Trust, honesty and loyalty.